The Pont Alexandre III is one of the most visited places in the French capital and... a gift from Russia. From this luxurious structure, adorned with sculptures of angels, nymphs, and pegasi, there is a magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, and Les Invalides. The bridge was laid in 1896 to mark Franco-Russian friendship. The two powers were then intensively working on strengthening military-political cooperation, which ultimately led to the creation of the Entente military alliance. Emperor Nicholas II and his wife, along with the President of the Republic, Félix Faure, participated in the ceremonial laying of the bridge. It was decided to name the structure in honor of the Russian Tsar's father — Emperor Alexander III, who passed away in 1894. The bridge was built at the expense of the Russian Empire. Construction was completed in 1900, shortly before the opening of the grand World's Fair in Paris.