France's problem: Fewer tourists, more 'love-locks'

In the wake of terrorist attacks in France in the last year, the country is suffering a drop in tourism that has become evident over the summer season, usually the busiest

In 2016 so far, Paris has had 15% fewer visitors, matched by a similar drop in hotel bookings, and a drop in arriving passengers through the airports. Some museums and attractions have seen even bigger falloffs. For more details from TheLocal.fr, click HERE

Meantime, Paris appears to be losing the war of the so-called 'love-locks' that visitors scratch their names on and attach to local bridges and other sites. After the lock-heavy Pont des Arts suffered a partial collaps, authorities stripped it of tons of locks and made it lock-proof. Recently, the process had to be repeated at the Pont de l'Archeveque, which had accumulated 35 tons of locks.

But each time, the lock-ers find new places, and have put thousands on other bridges, including some on the Canal Saint-Martin. Statues on the Pont Neuf have also seen a new vogue. The city will post new signs urging the lovers to "find another way to show your love," but anti-lock advocates are again calling for fines as the only way to deter them.