The bridge's central platform is located exactly in the middle of the Rhine, representing the border between France and Germany.
The structure weighs approximately 800 tons of steel and 500 tons of concrete.
It was specifically constructed to host the 2004 Landesgartenschau, a German horticultural exhibition.
The deck of the bridge is 387 meters long, but the total length including the access ramps is 528 meters.
The central span measures 180 meters across the navigable channel of the Rhine.
Construction took less than 18 months, concluding in early 2004.
The Passerelle des Deux Rives is a 387-meter-long pedestrian and bicycle bridge spanning the Rhine River, connecting Strasbourg, France, and Kehl, Germany. Designed by architect Marc Mimram, the structure features two inclined steel arches and a central platform supported by concrete pillars. It serves as a physical symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, replacing historical ferry connections between the two nations. The bridge links the Jardin des Deux Rives in Strasbourg with the Rheinaue park in Kehl, creating a transborder green space. Completed in 2004 for the Landesgartenschau garden show, it allows for uninterrupted cross-border travel between the two countries. The design incorporates a suspension system that allows for slight structural movement, emphasizing the lightness of the steel components. It is currently fully operational and remains a primary transit point for pedestrians and cyclists moving between the two municipalities.
The very center of the bridge, looking downstream along the Rhine.
Bring your passport or national ID card, as border patrol checks, while rare, can occur on either side.
Combine the crossing with a walk through the Jardin des Deux Rives on the French side and the Rheinaue park on the German side.
If cycling, be mindful of high pedestrian traffic during weekend afternoons.
Do not attempt to drive across, as the bridge is exclusively reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
