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!

Enough Is Enough

 

For many of us, the Locks of Love attached to some of the Paris bridges was a lovely thought, and for a time I supported that.  Now, as is the case in so many things, what started as a delightful way for lovers to share the Paris experience, has become a public nuisance!  Have a look at the Pont de L'Acheveche, directly behind Notre Dame. Not only have the locks covered the bridge but taggers have added insult to injury.  Lest you scream, "How can the city of Paris do this?" Be aware that the weight of the locks is creating a huge problem and compromising the fragile bridges,  and the keys at the bottom of the Seine, another issue. I've read that the city of Paris, who has cut off the locks before, are now in the process of taking care of this eyesore once again.

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!

Les cadenas

L'Artisan Parfumeur, in the Marais is a favorite of mine.  This last trip they had adorned their window with this nod to the Locks of Love on many of the Paris bridges.

Pont Neuf

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

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.

Les cadenas de l'amour

I'm sure you've seen or heard of the locks on the bridges along the Seine by now.  Lovers lock them and toss the key in the river. Le sigh!!  Supposedly the city of Paris, with nothing better to do, cut them all off and tossed them, but you know what happened... the "power of love" prevailed!  Today one of my favorites. Parfait pour le jour de l'amour, n'est-ce pas??

Bisous pour tout le monde!
V