London is world-renowned for its beautiful and historical architecture, quintessentially British atmosphere, and its patchwork of unique boroughs. Whether you’re exploring its streets by foot, on a red open-top bus, or you’re exploring its plethora of views on an exciting Thames River Cruise, there are some real gems that shouldn’t be missed and with City Cruises we take you on a journey of discovery – we have a different view and it’s waiting to be explored!

From 17th-century masterpieces to illustrious architectural icons, the capital of the UK boasts some of the world’s most stunning and visually brilliant bridges, all waiting to be explored and uncovered. In this article, we discover some of London’s most famous water landmarks and dive into the archives to uncover the hidden secrets and untold stories of London’s best bridges. Who’s ready to step back in time?

Explorer les ponts de Londres de jour comme de nuit

There is no better way to explore these historic and visually brilliant landmarks than on the river, and July 2019 saw the first switch-on of Illuminated River, an ambitious public art commission transforming the capital’s central bridges. “Illuminated River is the first cohesive lighting vision for the Thames bridges in central London, celebrating the structures as architectural, social and historical landmarks, and creating a symbolic link across the political, financial and cultural centres of the capital.”

Illuminated Rivers décrit le projet comme une collaboration unique entre les talents londoniens : "La réalisation du projet a impliqué une collaboration unique entre les talents créatifs londoniens, les organismes officiels et les communautés locales et laissera un héritage durable à la capitale sous la forme d'une œuvre d'art publique dynamique, recentrant et célébrant les ponts de la Tamise en tant que points de repère sociaux, historiques et architecturaux".

Découvrons un peu plus les ponts qui font partie de ce projet et comment ces magnifiques structures sont devenues les célèbres icônes qui relient le nord et le sud de Londres tels que nous les voyons aujourd'hui, ainsi que quelques-uns de nos endroits préférés le long de la rivière.

Pont de Westminster

Construit : Entre 1739 et 1750

A view made renowned by its sister property, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Bridge links Westminster on the west to Lambeth on the east side of the water. Known for being one of the oldest surviving bridges in the city, it is also known to locals as being one of the busiest. It was built in an attempt to relieve congestion coming from the west and the south of the city and to accommodate the growing use of goods and passenger carriages as transport in the Victorian period boomed.

Now a vehicle and pedestrian bridge, it is used by millions of visitors every year and links two of the city’s most iconic symbols to one another: Big Ben and the London Eye. Remodelled in 1862, the current bridge that crosses the river was designed by Thomas Page and boasts a royal seal of approval. As well as its magnificent green colour, which mimics that of the seats in the House of Commons, it also hosts the coats of arms of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on one of its many large stone pillars. Since its opening, the bridge has taken on a number of façades, previously used in the 18^th century as a spot for vagabonds and muggers, and in the 17^th century when it became one of the most painted sights in London. The bridge also now holds a Grade II Listed rating, protecting its structure and position within the city.

Une promenade sur le pont de Westminster vous offrira une vue magnifique sur Big Ben et les Chambres du Parlement, avec le London Eye et le Sea Life London Aquarium à l'est et en aval vers le centre-ville. Véritable paradis pour les amateurs de photographie, vous ne trouverez pas de meilleure vue de la ville qu'au milieu de ce pont. Si vous avez de la chance, vous pourrez même tomber sur un ou deux artistes de rue. À l'automne 2020, les travaux de l'installation Illuminated River, qui comprendra ce pont impressionnant, débuteront également.

Pont de Waterloo

Construit : Première construction en 1817, reconstruite en 1945

Not as aesthetically pleasing as Westminster Bridge (we’re not biased), but with a story just as impressive. Waterloo Bridge was first built in 1817, with its name emulating the victory at the Battle of Waterloo two years prior in 1815. It was also known for being the longest bridge in London. Due to its courageous name, the local station and surrounding borough were also named Waterloo and remainthe  foundation blocks of the city to this day. At the turn of the century, the use of heavy motor vehicles grew, and the safety of the bridge became uncertain. What ensued was a 10-year political battle took place to remodel the bridge to suit carriages and motor vehicles.

Presque baptisé Strand Bridge avant que le nom de Waterloo ne soit adopté par une loi du Parlement, le vieux pont a été remodelé et reconstruit en 1945, pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Il a notamment été surnommé "The Ladies Bridge" (le pont des dames) après sa reconstruction en 1945, en raison du grand nombre d'ouvrières qui ont participé à la construction pendant que les hommes étaient partis à la guerre. Commencée en 1939, la construction du nouveau pont a été lente et régulière, en raison du manque de main d'œuvre et des facilités offertes aux ouvriers.

Depuis sa rénovation, le pont est apparu à la télévision et au cinéma dans des séries comme Sherlock et Alfie. Il est devenu un pôle d'attraction pour ceux qui souhaitent se rendre dans les quartiers prestigieux de Covent Garden, au nord, et du Southbank Centre, au sud. Pour ceux qui prévoient de visiter la ville en 2020, il faut s'attendre à voir la lueur lointaine du projet Illuminated River, qui s'emparera du pont de Waterloo et sera achevé au cours des mois d'automne.

Pont Blackfriars

Construit : Première construction en 1769, reconstruite en 1869

Situated between its sister bridges, Blackfriars Railway Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge is a traffic and pedestrian Grade II Listed bridge in the heart of London. Built in 1769, its structure is among the oldest in the city and took some 9 years to build. Named after a Dominican priory which once stood nearby, its name was changed several times before the calling we hear today.

Most well-known for its elaborate stone carvings that line the columns it stands upon, depicting birds and marine life, as well as the statue of Queen Victoria at the north side of the bridge, which has stood in the same spot since she opened the new bridge back in 1869.

It is often regarded as one of the prettiest bridges in London due to its red and cream colouring, carefully carved arches, and large and imposing columns. It lies alongside the adjacent railway bridge and the remnants of the old Blackfriars Bridge, which can be spotted by the columns that still lie in the river to this day. A wander along (or a cruise under) this impressive bridge will give you a sense of scale and a glimpse at the true beauty of this architectural masterpiece.

Le pont ferroviaire fera partie du prochain projet Illuminated Bridges, alors gardez l'œil ouvert lors de votre prochaine croisière fluviale pour voir l'évolution de sa transformation. Les illuminations du pont s'annoncent colorées et créatives : "L'œuvre d'art Illuminated River pour le pont de Blackfriars utilisera un schéma de couleurs qui complète étroitement le pont ferroviaire adjacent de Blackfriars et les supports de piliers rouges qui subsistent du pont ferroviaire original de Blackfriars".

Pont du Millénaire

Date de construction : 2000

Nommé d'après l'année de sa construction, au tournant du millénaire, le Millennium Bridge est le plus jeune pont de cet article, mais aussi l'un des plus remarquables. Construit en 2000 à la suite d'un concours organisé par le conseil municipal de Southwark pour commander un nouveau pont, la proposition a repoussé toutes les limites de la conception technique et constitue aujourd'hui un véritable point de repère dans la ville.
Inauguré par la Reine Elizabeth II le 10^th June 2000, the bridge had to be closed two days later, finally reopening again on 27th February 2002, a whole two years later. Its location was chosen due to its proximity to a number of the city’s busiest locations, not to mention the beautiful view of St Paul’s Cathedral that can be seen as you walk down the walkway. The Tate Modern lies on the south side of the river as well as the historic Globe Theatre, which stands proudly on the water’s edge.

Something that many people don’t know is that the bridge plays host to over 400 works of art! These tiny works of art were designed and implemented by The Chewing Gum Man, also known as Ben Wilson. Tiny scenes, shapes, and figures are painted onto pieces of dropped gum, giving the floor of this bridge a somewhat patchwork feel.
We spoke to Stu who is a London walking blogger at London Wlogger who loves exploring London’s architectural treasures, he told us a little more about Millennium Bridge: “For me London is the greatest city in the world, it encapsulates the old and new perfectly, and has something picturesque wherever you look – whether that’s its landmarks, parks or bridges, you’re never too far from something amazing to explore! One of my favourite bridges in London is its most recent one,the  Millennium Bridge! Opened in June 2000, did you know it was the first bridge to be built over the Thames for over 100 years?

“One unique aspect of the Millennium Bridge is that it has had two openings, first in 2000 and then again in 2002. On its opening day, the bridge had 80,000 people walk across it and 2,000 on it at any one time. However, on the southern and central part of the bridge, people felt it swaying, and as a result, the bridge was closed and given the nickname the ‘Wobbly Bridge’. The bridge lasted only two days and it wasn’t until February 2002 that it reopened to the public!”

Cet été, rendez-vous au Millennium Bridge pour admirer le nouveau pont illuminé dans le cadre du projet en cours mené par Illuminated River. Le Millennium Bridge est l'un des quatre ponts à être équipé de son nouvel éclairage et il est encore plus beau dans l'obscurité de la nuit.

Pont de Southwark

Construit : Première construction en 1819, reconstruite en 1921

Connu à l'origine sous le nom de Queen Street Bridge, le Southwark Bridge a été construit en 1819 pour soutenir le flux de circulation vers le sud de la ville. Le pont original, conçu par John Rennie, était construit en fonte et soutenu par trois grands piliers fixés dans la rivière. Le premier pont a été démoli pendant la première guerre mondiale en raison de l'étroitesse de la route, qui devait être élargie en raison de l'utilisation croissante des véhicules à moteur.

The bridge as we see it today was begun in 1912 but didn’t open to the public until after the war in 1921. Due to its historical significance in the city, the new bridge was given Grade II listed status in 1995. Walk along Southwark Bridge to the south and you’ll find the original site of Shakespeare’s Globe; head north and you’ll find the famous London Stone. On the south side, you’ll find a short walk to the Shard and Borough Market. Southwark Bridge is another of the bridges that has seen the dressing of its new lights this year as part of the summer 2019 part of the Illuminated project.

"S'inspirant des palettes de couleurs des maîtres impressionnistes, l'illumination du pont reprendra, avec une saturation légèrement supérieure, les couleurs utilisées sur le pont de Cannon Street". Rapport sur la rivière illuminée.

Pont ferroviaire de Cannon Street

Construit : Entre 1863 et 1866

The path from Cannon Street Railway Station to the expanse of London that lies beyond it, Cannon Street Railway Bridge is owned by the National Rail and has been a hub of activity since it opened in 1866. Sitting pretty between Southwark Bridge and London Bridge, the original structure was designed by Sir John Hawkshaw and has nothing to do with weaponry, as its name may suggest. It is actually named after the 17^th-century word ‘candelwrichstrete’, which translates today to ‘street of the candlemakers’.

Depuis sa rénovation en 1982, bon nombre de ses anciens éléments décoratifs ont été supprimés et remplacés par des piliers en fonte, mais deux tours en briques du pont d'origine sont toujours visibles sur le front de rivière. Si vous prévoyez de faire une croisière fluviale en ville, ne manquez pas de jeter un coup d'œil à ce vaste pont et à ses toutes nouvelles illuminations ajoutées à la structure récemment à l'été 2019, une véritable marque dans les livres d'histoire.

Illuminated River décrit ses nouveaux aménagements comme une célébration du caractère du pont : "Cannon Street Bridge, bien qu'il soit l'un des plus anciens ponts de la Tamise, n'a jamais été éclairé auparavant. L'œuvre de Villareal célébrera le caractère utilitaire souvent négligé du pont et ses colonnes doriques monumentales, avec des couleurs cinétiques subtiles reflétant le mouvement des trains qui passent au-dessus".

Pont de Londres

Construit : 1973

Not to be confused with Tower Bridge, London Bridge is one of London’s oldest bridges, with the structure standing on the site since the Roman period. There have been a number of different facades, but the current bridge was completed in 197,3 with the preceding bridge being dismantled after 600 years of service.

Le London Bridge a été le théâtre de nombreux faits divers et scandales au fil des ans, les têtes des traîtres à la couronne ayant été piquetées le long de ses murs pendant la période des Tudor, et il a également été le sujet d'un certain nombre de comptines. En 1722, le pont précédent étant devenu trop encombré, une règle de "garder la gauche" a été mise en place, qui est devenue par la suite le modèle commun pour les routes de l'ensemble du Royaume-Uni. Si vous voulez voir le pont sous un jour moins formel, descendez la rivière lors de la Sheep Drive annuelle. Organisée par la ville de Londres chaque automne, la circulation s'arrête et des centaines de moutons sont conduits par des hommes libres sur le pont, une pratique qui remonte aux années 1200.

London Bridge is another of the summer installations as part of the Illuminated River project, and one that cruisers of the river can already see in all its glory. A subtle hue of pinks and oranges can be seen as you pass under its impressive concrete pillars.

Tower Bridge

Construit : Entre 1886 et 1894

Of course, we saved the best till last. One of the most iconic landmarks in London and one of the best Victorian-built bridges in the world. A real architect’s dream, Tower Bridge is visited by millions every year who are looking for a glimpse at the magnificent architecture that makes this bridge so fascinating. Built between 1886 and 1894, Tower Bridge is one of the few surviving original suspension bridges in the city and opens to passing boats more than 1000 times a year, taking 61 seconds to raise its arms fully.

De nombreuses personnes qui visitent le pont ne savent peut-être pas que le trafic fluvial est prioritaire sur le trafic routier, de sorte qu'une promenade sur le fleuve peut prendre un peu plus de temps qu'à l'accoutumée. Les piétons utilisaient auparavant les passerelles situées au-dessus des bras de levage pour éviter les retards, jusqu'à leur fermeture en 1910 en raison d'un manque d'utilisation, mais les visiteurs du pont peuvent aujourd'hui découvrir ces passerelles en plein air d'une manière totalement différente.

Many people confuse the bridge with London Bridge, which is actually a different bridge a little further down the river, and rather less impressive. There were over 50 different designs put forward for the bridge, but the one we see today was designed by Sir Horace Jones. The bridge has seen a number of makeovers since its opening. It was originally painted a dark brown colour, in 1977 it was painted red, white, and blue to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, and it now sits pretty in a grey and blue hue.

Découvrez les ponts de Londres grâce aux croisières urbaines

A visit to London wouldn’t be complete without a visit to at least one of these magnificent structures and the chance to experience a taste of the real London. If you want to experience the Thames in real style, join us on one of our upcoming Thames cruises and see these stunning structures from a whole new perspective. We offer more than just sightseeing trips, we offer a spacious outdoor top deck, tasteful food, and above all, spectacular views from a whole new perspective. If you jump on board a City Cruises tour, you can take a boat tour on the River Thames and see London and its bridges from a different perspective. You’ll be able to ride it from Greenwich, all the way to the Westminster area – meaning you’ll see the full route. There are so many key London sights to spot along the way, you won’t have time to blink!

Date de publication originale : 31 mars 2020