Pont Neuf

‘October 31 [1826]—At breakfast visited by M. Gallois, an elderly Frenchman (always the most agreeable class), full of information, courteous and communicative. He had seen nearly, and remarked deeply, and spoke frankly, though with due caution. He went with us to the Museum, where I think the Hall of Sculpture continues to be a fine thing; that of Pictures but tolerable, when we reflect upon 1815. A number of great French daubs (comparatively), by David and Gerard, cover the walls once occupied by the Italian che/s-d'ceuvre. Fiat justitia, ruat coelum. We then visited Notre Dame and the Palace of Justice. The latter is accounted the oldesb building in Paris, being the work of St. Louis. It is, however, in the interior, adapted to the taste of Louis xiv. We drove over the Pont Neuf, and visited the fine quays, which was all we could make out to-day, as I was afraid to fatigue Anne…’

It was on May 31, 1578 that King Henry III laid the first stone for the Pont Neuf, which is now the oldest bridge over the Seine.   The entry above is from Scott’s Journal.