If you live in or have ever visited Paris, you have probably crossed the Pont au Change. This bridge links the Place du Châtelet and its two theaters to the Boulevard du Palais on the Île de la Cité (City Island) where the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel) are, among other buildings.
It takes its name after the many money changers who had to settle there to keep working following an order of king Louis VII in 1141.
Multiple houses and various stores took place on both sides of the bridge, before being destroyed at the end of the 18th century. This work aimed to showcase the city more. Thus, the bridge, which no longer had houses, provided not only beautiful views of the Seine and the two banks, but also enough width to install two sidewalks, enabling Parisians to walk on a cleaner ground and safe from horses harnessed to carriages and plows.
