Institut de France

Sitting elegantly opposite the Pont des Arts (or Bridge of Arts), is the Institut de France. The Institut is the headquarters of five French intellectual academies, of which the most famous is l'Académie Française. 

The grand cupola-topped building in baroque style is a stunning sight when seen from le Pont des Arts, also known as Passerelle des Arts. This bridge is a pedestrian bridge which links the Institut de France with the Cour Carrée (central square) of the Palais du Louvre. The whole area has been associated with art and culture since the First French Empire when the Palais du Lourve was also known as the Palais des Arts.