[2025 Paris Attraction] Travel Guide for Pont de Bir-Hakeim (Updated Mar)

The Battle of Bir Hakeim (Arabic pronunciation: [biʔr ħaˈkiːm]) took place at Bir Hakeim, an oasis in the Libyan desert south and west of Tobruk, during the Battle of Gazala (26 May – 21 June 1942). The 1st Free French Brigade under Général de brigade Marie-Pierre Kœnig defended the position from 26 May – 11 June against Axis forces of Panzerarmee Afrika commanded by Generaloberst Erwin Rommel. The Panzerarmee captured Tobruk ten days later. Bir Hakeim was first attacked by the Ariete Division early in the Battle of Gazala, then by a mixed force of the Trieste and 90th Light divisions. The delay imposed on the Axis offensive by the defence of Bir Hakeim influenced the cancellation of Operation Herkules, the Axis invasion of Malta. Rommel invaded Egypt, slowed by British delaying actions until the First Battle of El Alamein in July, where the Axis advance was stopped. Both sides used the battle for propaganda, Winston Churchill declared the Free French to be the "Fighting French". Generalmajor Friedrich von Mellenthin wrote. Eight Army At the beginning of 1942, after its defeat in western Cyrenaica during Unternehmen Theseus [de], the British Eighth Army under Lieutenant-General Neil Ritchie faced the Axis troops in Libya roughly 48 km (30 mi) west of the port of Tobruk, along a line running from the coast at Gazala, southwards for about 48 km (30 mi). Both sides accumulated supplies for an offensive to forestall their opponent and General Claude Auchinleck, Commander in Chief of Middle East Command, hoped for the Eighth Army to be ready by May. British code-breakers tracked the dispatch of convoys to Libya as the British offensive on Axis shipping to North Africa was neutralised by Axis bombing of Malta and forecast that the Axis would attack first. As the Eighth Army was not ready to take the offensive, Ritchie planned to fight a defensive battle on the Gazala line. Auchinleck's appreciation of the situation to Ritchie in mid-May anticipated either a frontal attack in the centre of the Gazala line followed by an advance on Tobruk or a flanking move to the south, looping around the Gazala line towards Tobruk. Auchinleck saw the former as more likely (with a feint on the flank to draw away the Eighth Army tanks) while Ritchie favoured the latter. Auchinleck suggested that British armour be concentrated near El Adem, where it would be well placed to meet either threat. Since Operation Crusader in late 1941, the Eighth Army had received American built M3 Grant medium tanks with a 37 mm gun in a turret and a 75 mm gun in a hull sponson, which could penetrate the armour of the opposing Panzer III Ausf. H and J and the Panzer IV tank models at 590–780 m (650–850 yd). The frontal armour of the Grant was thick enough to withstand the 50 mm Pak 38 anti-tank gun at 910 m (1,000 yd) and the short-barrelled 50 mm KwK 38 gun of the Panzer III at 230 m (250 yd).

I finished the whole baguette after the photo shoot🥖 What will you do when walking on the street in Paris? Me: 📸📸📸 Missing the good old days!!!! #beyondborders #beyondborders

#seineriver Walking across Pont de Bir-Hakeim, I couldn’t help but admire the perfect blend of elegance and strength in its design. Spanning the Seine River, this two-level bridge—serving both pedestrians and the Paris Métro—offered breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, which loomed gracefully in the background. As I stood beneath its iconic metal arches, I immediately recognized the bridge from the movie Inception. The surreal dream sequence where Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Ariadne (Elliot Page) discuss the nature of dreams was filmed right here, using the bridge’s intricate columns to create a mesmerizing, layered perspective. Seeing it in person felt like stepping into a cinematic moment, where reality and imagination blurred. Apart from its Hollywood fame, Bir-Hakeim Bridge is an architectural gem. Built in 1905, its ornate ironwork, decorative lampposts, and sculpted figures give it a timeless charm. Below, the Seine flowed steadily, reflecting the golden glow of Paris, while boats glided past, carrying passengers enchanted by the city’s beauty. With the Eiffel Tower shimmering in the distance and the rhythmic sound of passing trains above, Bir-Hakeim Bridge was more than just a crossing—it was an experience, where history, artistry, and film converged in one unforgettable Parisian moment.

Paris is such a wonderful travelling destination for splendid and varied architecture, which also means plenty of photo opportunities to leave behind perfect travelling memories. Even if there’s no one travelling along. Some of the absolutely recommended photography spots: 1) Louvre Museum (especially the side corridors before entering the museum) 2) Palais Garnier 3) Concorde 4) Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine (the window right after the entrance) 5) Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre 6) Pont de Bir-Hakeim (the bridge featured in the movie Inception) 7) Jardin du Luxembourg Photo tips: When there are many too many tourists passing by in your photo, no worry, just stand completely still in the photo spot for 5 secs, then take a Live Photo anyway. You might see some surprise as you turn it from live into long exposure. #solotrip

📷 Paris Must-See Photo Zones A collection of photo zones that you must visit when you go to Paris! You must see the stunning scenery at the 'Jardin des Tuileries', where you can relax, and the nearby 'Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor'! When you go to Paris, you must take pictures of the 'Louvre Museum' and the 'Trocadero Square' and 'Vire-et-Kem Bridge', where you can see the Eiffel Tower at a glance! Also visit Rue de Monttessuy, a hot place these days! 📷 Paris Photo Zone A collection of photo spots that you must visit when in Paris! Be sure to check out the stunning scenery at the 'Jardin des Tuileries', where you can relax, and the nearby 'Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor'! When you go to Paris, you must take pictures of the 'Louvre Museum' and the 'Trocadero Square' and 'Vire-et-Kem Bridge', where you can see the Eiffel Tower at a glance! Visit 'Rue de monttessuy', a hot place these days! #EiffelTower #EiffelTowerNightView #ParisTravel #ParisHotPlace #ParisEmotion

The first time we crossed this bridge was on the metro which crosses the bridge on an elevated platform and gives you some great views of Eiffel tower. This is a lovely bridge, over the River Seine, where you can get some lovely pictures. Well worth a visit. This multifunctional bridge is very classically Parisian in appearance. It carries vehicular, foot and Metro rain traffic across the Seine and is beautiful in appearance. I walked across this bridge on my way towards the Eiffel Tower. The bridge includes a roadway, walkway, and an upper level for the Metro trains. The decorative ironwork and decoration on the bridge is interesting. The views from the bridge are great. There is a good view of the Eiffel Tower with the Seine River in the foreground. As I walked, I encountered several bridal couples having their photos taken in this scenic area. It’s well worth your time to seek out this picturesque bridge.

There are many large and small bridges on the Seine. Among the bridges I went to, the favorite one is Le Pont de Bir-Hakeim . If you like photography, you must punch! It is the place where Paris takes pictures of landmarks. It is 5-7 minutes walk from Trocadero subway station, which is very suitable for taking pictures. In the Trocadero, walk down the steps, then turn right. The bridge you see in front of you is Pont Bir Hakim, walking along the streets of the Seine, the sun is good for filming. This is a double-decked bridge that spans the Seine and Swan Island to commemorate the French bridge that won the Battle of Bikhakan in Africa. There is a stone platform on Swan Island, a typical representative of the Renaissance French statue, with a stone arch and four statues. The subway passes by the bridge and pedestrians walk under the bridge. When I got here, I remembered the name of a movie, "Love is after sunset". I think if it is autumn, the maple leaves should look more beautiful. On both sides of the bridge, one side is on the west, the other is sunburned. Into a golden yellow tower. The sunset is infinitely good, just near dusk. There is a feeling of fading through the bridge. Here is the location of the "Pirates of the Dream". Do you think of that scene?