In reality two separate bridges, carrying the Boulevard Henri IV, meet on the eastern tip of the Île Saint-Louis in the 4th arrondissement of Paris.

The construction of the pedestrian bridges was authorized by an act of 18 June 1836, in favor of M. de Beaumont, the projector, who would recoup his expenses, valued at 380.000 fr., by collecting tolls.

[4][5] The current bridge was constructed in 1876, as part of Haussmann's renovation of Paris; it opened on 25 August 1877.

It is named in honour of Maximilien de Béthune, duke of Sully (1560–1641) and minister to Henry IV.

They set it at an angle of about 45 degrees to the river banks, which means that it gives a splendid view over the quais of the Île Saint-Louis and Notre-Dame.