In recent years, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris was the bridge of locks. The bridge was located over the Seine River and it was covered with thousands of locks that symbolized the love between couples. However, the bridge is no longer there and many people are wondering what happened to it.
The History of the Bridge of Locks
The bridge of locks, also known as Pont des Arts, was built in 1804 during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. It connects the Institut de France and the Louvre Museum. The original design of the bridge did not include any railings but they were added later due to safety concerns.
The Tradition of Locks
The tradition of placing locks on bridges started in Europe in the early 2000s. It is believed that it started in Italy but quickly spread to other countries including France. Couples would place a lock on a bridge and throw away the key into the river as a symbol of their undying love.
The Rise and Fall of Pont des Arts
The popularity of Pont des Arts skyrocketed in 2008 when people started placing locks on it. The number kept increasing every year until it reached a point where there were over a million locks on the bridge weighing over 45 tonnes.
However, this popularity came with a price. The weight of all these locks caused damage to the structure of the bridge which posed a threat to both pedestrians and boats passing under it. In 2015, part of the railing collapsed due to excessive weight which led to authorities closing down the bridge.
What Happened Next?
In June 2015, all 45 tonnes worth of locks were removed from Pont des Arts by workers who used bolt cutters and cranes to get rid of them all. After that, authorities decided not to replace the locks and instead replaced the railings with glass panels to prevent people from placing locks on them.
The Legacy of Pont des Arts
Although Pont des Arts is no longer covered in locks, the tradition still lives on in other parts of Paris. People can now place locks on a designated sculpture at Square Jean-XXIII which is located near Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the bridge of locks in Paris was a beautiful symbol of love between couples. However, its popularity led to its downfall due to excessive weight. While it is no longer there, the tradition lives on in other parts of Paris.