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All France Paris Paris Padlocks of Love
Paris Padlocks of Love is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

Paris Padlocks of Love

The celebrated eyesore created by starry-eyed sweethearts.

Paris, France

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amyfreeborn
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Locks on the Pont des Arts   Allison / Atlas Obscura User
Space Invader key on the Pont des Arts by the locks   Allison / Atlas Obscura User
Pont de l’Archevêché   Stephen and Therese Jennings/Flickr
Pont des Arts   failing_angel/Flickr
Pont de l’Archevêché   Kay Williams/Flickr
Pont des Arts   failing_angel/Flickr
Pont de l’Archevêché   Pascal Vuylsteker/Flickr
  User submitted
Some padlocks are still being affixed to the Pont des Arts, mainly around the lampposts   Sarah Vanheel CosmopoliClan / Atlas Obscura User
  User submitted
Paddlocks on the Pont de l’Archévêché, Paris, 2015   Evarin
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  Rindy99 / Atlas Obscura User
  Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
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Paris is the city of love, so it's fitting that the French capital has several thriving love lock locations. 

Love locks — a modern 'tradition' whereby sweethearts inscribe their names or initials on a padlock, attach it to a public structure, and throw away the key, permanently sealing their love — used to adorn the Pont des Arts, the footbridge that crosses the Seine from the Left Bank to the Louvre, as well as the Pont de l'Archevêché, in the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Several years ago, following political discussions about whether the locks were an eyesore or detrimental to the integrity of the city's architecture, the Pont des Arts was mysteriously cleared one night and locks are now routinely removed from various locations around the city.

Many locals consider the lovelocks to be a serious problem that threaten bridges and other important landmarks due to the accumulated weight of the locks. However, in June of 2014, part of the Pont des Arts bridge had to be closed when one of its metal grills collapsed, lugged down by the locks. In May of 2015, the city council decided to remove all of them (45 tonnes in total) and install panels to prevent people from fixing new ones.

Of course, tourists bemoan the removal of the love locks, complaining that this is a loved Parisian tradition. However, it is perhaps worth remembering that The Pont des Arts was built under the reign of Napoleon I, and love locks only started appearing in 2008!

Of course, love locks haven't disappeared from the bridges over the Seine. Indeed, padlock and permanent marker pen vendors do a thriving trade on and alongside the bridges. However, lovers beware, city authorities often remove locks from landmarks, breaking them, and perhaps breaking the love the locks were supposed to secure?

Update 2016: The locks were cut off the bridge for safety purposes.

Update 2022: While the locks have returned to the Pont des Arts as well as other Parisian bridges and their surroundings, it is unclear whether they'll remain there for a while or not.

Update 2024: Almost all the locks have been removed (except a few creative strays attached to bike lock cables around a couple lamp posts), during a 2023 renovation that replaced the bridge deck and added structural glass which completely blocks access to the metal railing that locks were formerly attached to.

Related Tags

Love Locks Bridges Rites And Rituals

Community Contributors

Added By

amyfreeborn

Edited By

KatieBush, Evarin, Molly McBride Jacobson, thewildlakeys...

  • KatieBush
  • Evarin
  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • thewildlakeys
  • Simon Jones
  • Fred Cherrygarden
  • kpb
  • Allison
  • LucyKG
  • Luis Morato
  • Rindy99
  • Sarah Vanheel CosmopoliClan

Published

February 14, 2012

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Sources
  • http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/62814/in-paris-love-locks-conquer-a
  • http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/paris-love-locks-love-that-wont
  • http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/10887201/Love-locks-cause-rail-collapse-on-Pariss-Pont-des-Arts-bridge.html
  • http://www.paris.fr/accueil/accueil-paris-fr/bruno-julliard-lance-le-retrait-definitif-des-cadenas-du-pont-des-arts/rub_1_actu_156012_port_24329
  • https://cosmopoliclan.com/travel-with-kids/inspiration/love-lock-bridge-paris-pont-des-arts/
Paris Padlocks of Love
Pont des Arts
Paris, 75006
France
48.857773, 2.337392
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