Pont des Arts, Paris, France

A lovely pedestrian bridge in Paris crosses the Seine, with L’Institut de France on one side and the Louvre on the other. It’s famous for being the first metal bridge in Paris and part of Paris’ UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Eiffel Tower to Ille Saint-Louis.)

Not ringing any bells? It’s also famous for being covered in tons of padlocks, which literally weigh tons.

Bridge-Lovers, let me introduce you to Le Pont des Arts.

Apparently, the tradition of putting a ‘love-lock’ on the bridge and tossing the key into the Seine started in 2008. The romantic gesture caught on and the bridge became absolutely covered in them, especially in the high-tourist season. For a while, the bridge was boarded up to prevent new locks from being placed on it, which prompted some creative, graffiti-style art to cover the otherwise ugly boards.

I’ve seen locks for sale on the bridge itself and I’ve watched people partake in the ritual. I’ve never put a lock on the bridge myself, but I can understand the appeal of those who have. There is something whimsical about leaving a little part of you and your love somewhere.

But I can also understand the city’s concerns with the sheer number of locks and the damage they’re causing to the bridge. As of yesterday, June 1 2015, the ‘Love Locks’ of Pont des Arts are currently being removed, with the help of some heavy-duty machinery. The new plan for the bridge, according to the New York Times article, is to cover the metal grills “with custom-made plexiglass…[that] will allow pedestrians to once again see the Seine”, which the layers of locks had obstructed.  

Some lament the loss of thousands of romantic tributes, while others applaud it. If you’ve seen Pont des Arts, what do you think about the ‘Love Locks’?

For more information about the removal of the locks from Pont des Arts, check out this article from the New York Times: Paris Bridge's Love Locks Are Taken Down.