Paris is renewing its war on love-locks, those ubiquitous padlocks chained to bridges, railings, monuments and even to each other that have become an eyesore in dozens of cities, and in some cases have caused serious damage by their accumulated weight.
Authorities in the 18th Arrondisement have announced they plan to ‘un-lock’ the fences of Montmartre, and in particular around the Sacre Coeur basilica starting next year under their ‘Embellish your Neighborhood’ plan. Hawkers sell locks on the street near the affected areas.
Montmartre became one of the focus areas for the locks after locks were successfully banished from two bridges formerly popular for declaring undying and locked-up love when railings on the Pont des Arts and the Pont de l’Archeveque were replaced with plexiglass panels. The panels were installed after the 2014 collapse of part of the Pont des Arts railing under the weight of 45 tonnes of locks.
Photo: Railings of the Pont des Arts before collapse (PHeymont/TravelGumbo)
