The Square du Vert-Galant
The water-level green triangle at the island's tip — a sunset picnic of Parisian-secret rank, the river forking around you.
Sumit Surai — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rmrfstar — CC BY-SA 3.0 · FreCha — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jean-Pierre Dalbéra — CC BY 2.0
Its name means "New Bridge," and it is the oldest standing bridge in Paris — a four-century-old irony. Completed in 1607 under Henri IV, whose bronze equestrian statue holds its centre today, it was revolutionary then: the first stone bridge without houses on it, and the first with pavements for walkers — instantly becoming Paris's open-air theatre of vendors, jesters and idlers. The bridge crosses the river in two spans over the western head of the Île de la Cité, and its rounded half-turrets — the "balconies" carved into its sides — make perfect river-watching seats, crowned by 381 mocking stone masks, no two alike. Its loveliest secret is below: a stair behind the Henri IV statue descends to the Square du Vert-Galant at the island's tip — a green triangle at water level many Parisians call the city's finest sunset spot, the river splitting before you, the Louvre to your right, the Académie to your left.
The water-level green triangle at the island's tip — a sunset picnic of Parisian-secret rank, the river forking around you.
The rounded half-turrets are river-view benches, and under their cornices grin 381 mocking 17th-century stone faces — hunt for the strangest.
The king who finished the bridge has ridden its centre since 1614 — melted in the Revolution, recast from the bronze of Napoleon's statues, a story that summarises France.
Western tip of the Île de la Cité, 75001/75006 Paris
Monnaie de ParisThe French mint, on the bank of the Seine opposite the Louvre, and among the old3 minutes walk4.5
Pont des ArtsA wooden footbridge across the Seine between the **Louvre** and the domed **Inst4 minutes walk4.7
ConciergerieThe fortress façade with conical towers on the Seine embankment is the oldest an4 minutes walk4.3
Sainte ChapelleNo photograph does Sainte-Chapelle justice, and no description either. You enter4 minutes walk4.5
The Clock Tower of the Palais de la CitéA square tower at the corner of the Palais de la Cité on the Île de la Cité, car5 minutes walk4.7Looking for halal food near Pont Neuf? There are several options nearby, from Moroccan and Indian kitchens to quick casual spots and places with a view. Confirm the halal status and opening hours before you go — these can change.
Chez le LibanaisHalalA small counter on Rue Saint-André des Arts, one of the busiest pedestrian stree6 minutes walk · $4.5Al DarHalalAl Dar is a Lebanese restaurant in the Latin Quarter, a few minutes on foot from12 minutes walk · $$4.1AssanabelHalalAssanabel is a small Lebanese restaurant on Rue Jacob, one of the prettiest and 9 minutes walk · $$4.9Two characters, no contest: Alexandre III is gilded pageantry, Pont Neuf is stone, history and river life. Half an hour's bank-side walk separates them — walk it and judge yourself.
The most famous cruise fleets dock at its lower quay by the island's tip — the one-hour sunset circuit passes every riverside landmark and is the best first-evening investment in Paris.