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!

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!

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