2014-06-11

Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris

A love lock, or love padlock, is a padlock that sweethearts lock to a bridge, fence, gate, or similar public fixture to symbolise their love. Typically, the sweethearts' names or initials are inscribed on the padlock, and its key is thrown away to symbolise unbreakable love. Since the 2000s, love locks have proliferated at an increasing number of locations worldwide. They are often treated by municipal authorities as litter or vandalism, and there is some cost to their removal.

Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
At Paris Town Hall in May 2010, they expressed concern over the growing number of love locks on the Pont des Arts, Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor and the Pont de l'Archevêché bridges, stating, "They raise problems for the preservation of our architectural heritage." The love locks of the Pont des Arts mysteriously disappeared during the night of 11 May 2010, but the Administration denied responsibility until it was discovered that they had been removed by a student of the nearby École des Beaux-Arts to make a sculpture. Love locks immediately began appearing on the Pont de l'Archevêché. On 9 June 2014, the weight of the padlocks on the Pont des Arts bridge caused part of the parapet to collapse.

Image credit: Alejandro Moreno Calvo
Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris

Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
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Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
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Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
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Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
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Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
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Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
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Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
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Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
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Locks of Love | The Pont des Arts in Paris
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Source — Wikipedia1 | Wikipedia2

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