The proposed suspension bridge, the construction of which started in 1824, was meant to be erected opposite to the Hotel des Invalides on the site of the current Pont Alexandre III.

Navier failed to leave a safety margin on top of his calculations, and the contract to build the bridge was unusually rigid.

[1] The bridge became unsafe after cracking of the anchorages due to natural settling and additional movement after a water main break near the buttresses.

[1] In response to complaints from the defenders of the Invalides perspective, the Public Services decided to shift the bridge site downriver.

The new pier was adorned with sculptures in two allegorical themes: the Land Victory by Victor Vilain upriver; the Maritime Victory by Georges Diébolt downstream, whereas the two old piers were adorned with sculptures of military trophies bearing the imperial coat of arms, both the work of Astyanax-Scévola Bosio.