Pont des Arts - As-tu un clé?

Pont des Arts

Do you have a key?

This pedestrian bridge is in the news this week.  

The bridge was closed for a period of time 

as the weight of the "love locks" was so heavy 

that it tore a portion of the railing away from the bridge.  

The city (or the mysterious lock-remover) 

has periodically pruned locks from this bridge

 and Pont de l'Archevêché, 

but they re-appear almost as quickly as they are removed.  

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris

Pont de l'Archevêché

Pont de l'Archevêché

Based on the hefty weight of 

 many locks in the foreground, 

the larger ones have likely been removed or 

"pruned" 

One does hope that 

Edith and Hernando are doing well...

Pont de l'Archevêché

behind Notre Dame

75005, Paris

Pont des Arts - sous la neige

Pont des Arts

Taken a few years ago during a dusting of snow,

the bridge is seen after a pruning of locks

bon weekend

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris

Pont des Arts - love locks

Love locks

Pont des Arts

I have photographed the "love locks" for years on the Pont des Arts and always said that if my sweetheart came with me to Paris that we would put one here on the Pont des Arts.

He did come with me last March and after attaching our lock threw away a red key (which was superfluous for a combination lock).  It was at the moment of sunset, and we were in good company with others on that March evening.  In October I went back to check on our lock and it was most assuredly missing.  The fact is that all of these lovers' locks weigh down the bridge and it appears that the locks are periodically "pruned."  In May of 2010, they all disappeared overnight but the city of Paris claimed innocence.

We will return and affix another lock, a tiny discrete one, which should not cause any attention (or pruning).

(Happy Valentine's Day, D)

Pont des Arts

75001, Paris