The Pont de Bercy is just by the grand and futuristic national sports stadium. The bridge is a combined road and walkway and supports line 6 of the Metro. I took in the view and watched people heading into central Paris to start their day.
Walking along the left bank of the Seine I arrived at the recently designed Pont Charles de Gaulle. A single deck steel structure linking the Gare de Lyon with the Gare d’ Austerlitz. It is shaped like a streamlined aircraft wing and is a very crisp feature presenting a modern France.
I continued with my saunter and began to see the primary features of central Paris approaching. Stopping briefly at the Pont d’ Austerlitz, I could view Notre Dame Cathedral right ahead of me. The river Seine was very busy with traffic using it for various purposes including many large, speedy and sleek tourist vessels. Both banks of the river support many people on foot going about their daily business or just sitting to enjoy the view. The Seine epitomises the energy of a thriving and ambitious capital economy.
I walked along the Quai Henry IV towards the Ile de la Cité, right in the centre of medieval Paris, and approached the Pont de Sully. This bridge links both banks of the Seine as it passes over the tip of the island. All of the traditionally perceived features of Paris can be seen from here. The imposing Notre Dame Cathedral just to the north west, Place de Bastille to the north east and the Arab Institute and Pantheon towards the south.
Paris is a little like a shallow soup bowl with the river flowing at the bottom. I stood to observe the city rim all around me
A view through 360 degrees from this point reveals all of the familiar architecture of Paris.