Mon préféré

 I love so many bridges in Paris, but the Pont des Arts remains my favorite. When I first visited Paris  years ago, I found the few "love locks" charming. As time passed, they took over this bridge and most others and were destroying them with their weight, not to mention their hideousness. Thankfully the city of Paris stepped in, finally, and cut them off, and now have restored them to their former beauty. 

Pas de cadenas d'amour!

The Pont des Arts has always been one of my favorite Paris bridges. This pedestrian bridge built in 1804 has stood the test of time until recent years.  I always enjoyed the street artists and musicians found there. In later years, the bridge became a disaster, loaded to the breaking point with "love" locks and lock salesmen preying on tourists. Eventually the City of Paris had to close the bridge, remove the 45 tons of locks and eventually were able to replace them with glass panels which are hopefully, lock proof. Now we can enjoy the beautiful view again!

Pont des Arts

I never tire of photographing this bridge now that it has been rid of the zillions of horrible "love locks". Merci to the City of Paris for tackling this expensive and time consuming task. Thankfully now more bridges are being rid of the weight and destruction due to the lock craze. Make love... not locks!

Pont des Arts

I love this bridge. I love it more now that the city of Paris has removed the 45 tons of "love" locks  to save it.  Now with the new glass panels, you can actually see the Seine again!

A Welcome Sight!

This photo is very special for me. I"ve always loved the Pont des Arts, but in the last 5-6 years the awful "love" locks absolutely ruined this Paris treasure. It was originally built in 1804 and was the first metal bridge built in Paris ,but due to bombardments during both WW and being rammed by a barge, it was closed and rebuilt to exact specifications. The love locks compromised the bridge and in 2014 it was closed and several sections of replaced with glass panels. A total of 45 tons of locks were removed. Today it's again the lovely bridge we all remember and love!

Amour à vente

I shared a photograph of the Pont des Arts before the love locks became epidemic and the aftermath yesterday. Today, a look at the love locks salesmen set up their wares in broad open daylight. They don't like to have their photos taken so you see this one has walked away from the merchandise. 
They are kind enough to offer locks at many price points. I don't know how much they sell for, but I'm sure the largest ones ( that will take a city worker a good while to cut off the bridge) aren't for those who are marginally in love. What having a policeman posted there or between two bridges handing out fines would cost, could be offset by the fines if they were diligent. Now the city of Paris is looking at an enormous expense cutting them off and repairing the damaged bridges. A problem that should have been taken care of years ago.

Pour l'amour??

The Pont des Arts in 2011

 

Pont des Arts 2014

Let's get this straight. I love Paris and I love the lovers in Paris that you see on every corner expressing that. What I DON'T love is the destruction of some of Paris' most beautiful bridges with the onslaught of "love locks" over the past few years. Ironically they call them "love", but they are causing immense weight and deterioration on these structures, not to mention the eyesore they have become.  I've seen numerous articles, blog posts and posts on Facebook about this and what the city of Paris should do, but last November I was shocked that the practice continues!  As I walked up to the Pont des Arts, I saw that now the locks extend down the sidewalk. The entire bridge is a disgrace. Parts have collapsed due to the weight and been patched with plywood, which of course has been tagged. Locks were being sold right there and seemingly sane tourists were buying them and writing their names with markers, so kindly provided by the "salesmen". At this point it would take city workers days (weeks?) to cut them all off. What a waste of time and money. This is a mini series of sorts as I will post a few photos for the next few days of what this lovely bridge looked like a few years ago and what's happening even today. I have a bright photo to share for the end.

Pont des Arts Avant

 

This taken in June, 2010, you can see a few locks behind this musician.  Now......there is no space left as the locks of love have covered every single inch of this lovely bridge.  Hopefully,  the city of Paris will soon remove them all as they pose a huge weight on the bridge and also block the view of the Seine.  I vote to have them gone!

Cadenas d'amour!

Walking across the Pont des Arts this Sunday afternoon,  I loved watching these boys trying to figure out what this was all about!

Trop de cadenas!

Spotted on the Pont des Arts, these petits garçons didn't seem to know what to think about all these locks of love!

Pont Neuf

From the Locks of Love capital of the world, the Pont des Arts

Le Coureur

Pont des Arts

We didn't see any runners in shorts this trip.

Musique sur le pont

The Pont des Arts, a pedestrian bridge,  is always alive with musicians, artists and other creative Parisians.  This friendly gentleman's music added to our stroll across to the Left Bank.  

Belle Vue

I will never tire of this view, and you?

Running Through Paris

I can't imagine a more wonderful place for your Sunday morning run.  I'm sure you all know this bridge!

À la vie,l'amour et de vin rouge

For my friend Allan, who will be doing this in a few short weeks. Le sigh........

Another one of the locks fastened to le Pont des Arts.  Lock it, throw the key in the Seine and you will return to Paris. I wish I'd known this sooner! Others say your love will never end. Either way, it's worth a try n'est-ce pas?   In 2010, the City of Paris,  heartlessly cut them all off.  If you've been to Paris recently, you can see how effective that was.  I think it is a charming way to show your love and doesn't seem to harm the property. Your thoughts?

Dimanche Sur le Pont des Arts

This photograph was taken shortly after yesterday's Louvre shot.  Strolling along the Seine that Sunday morning was a photographer's paradise! Look closely and you can see all the locks of love attached to the sides.