No To "Love Locks!"

Paris “love locks” removed from bridges.

17:01 02 June 2015

Paris city officials have started to remove padlocks placed by loved-up couples. Tying a “love lock” on the Pont des Arts before throwing the key into the River Seine beneath has become one of the must-do for tourists in the French capital’s main bridge. However, a part of the bridge’s railings have collapsed under the weight last year. 

 

On Monday, grilles were being removed from the side of the Pont des Arts. They will be replaced by panels painted by street artists over the summer. 

 

"It's the end of the padlocks," said Bruno Julliard, Paris deputy mayor.

 

"They spoil the aesthetics of the bridge, are structurally bad for it and can cause accidents."

 

Cathy Hominage, an American tourist, told the Reuters news agency: "We came with the idea of putting a lock but we found out it's closed and illegal now.

 

"We are just going to put it here at the very end of the bridge so no one can see."