The first footbridge at this site near the Louvre was opened in 1804. It was called the Passerelle des Arts because the Louvre was at that time called the 'Palais des Arts'. It was the first iron bridge on the Seine in Paris. It was repaired many times because of bomb damage during the two Great Wars and numerous barge collisions, but it collapsed in 1979. The bridge now at this site was opened in 1984. The footbridge connects the Louvre and the France Institute.