This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
As I glided along the Seine in a 100-year-old wooden boat, I stumbled upon a hidden gem – the Pont Marie, a bridge steeped in romance and artistry. According to local lore, making a wish under the bridge while keeping it secret will grant it.
One summer night, I took two female college students on a boat ride. As we approached the bridge, a recording announced: “If you’re with the person you love, kiss him or her under the bridge, make a wish, and your wish will come true.” One of the students closed her eyes and made a wish, even though her boyfriend was an ocean away.
Published on November 5, 2019, in The New York Times, this article highlights the beauty of Paris' lesser-known bridges. One such bridge is the Pont Marie, which has been a subject of fascination for artists and writers.
Located near the town of Chatou, about 10 miles west of Paris, this bridge is a treasure trove of artistic and literary history. Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted the bridge in 1881, almost completely hiding it behind chestnut trees in bloom with big pink flowers. He also featured the bridge in one of his best-known works, Luncheon of the Boating Party.
Guy de Maupassant evoked the bridge in his short story “Femme Fatale,” describing a line of rowboats speeding along the Seine and “growing progressively smaller till they disappeared beyond the railway bridge and into the distance.” The bridge was also photographed in black and white in the early 20th century for postcards.
As I rowed along the Seine with Kareen Sontag, a member of the Sequana Association, I felt like I was transported to a world of 100 years ago. The grinding of Kareen’s seat, the plop of her oars, and the gurgle of water against the hull created a soothing melody that immersed me in the past.
