topic Re: Pont des Arts in Community Chat

Pont des Arts

lolakimono — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 19:56:36 GMT

Maybe you've seen the pedestrian bridge in Paris.

Maybe you've heard of the tradition of couples in love writing their initials on locks, chaining it to the fence/bridge, and tossing the key into the river as a symbol of the couple's unbreakable bond of love.

So what happens when a bridge cannot support the weight of all of the padlocks?

They have to be removed, at considerable cost, as the weight and bulk are too much to handle.

The solution? First, temporary wood panels to block the use of new padlocks.

This inspired padlock themed graffiti.

Then, there was Plexiglass.

Now there are rotating "love themed" exhibitions on the bridge.

Should there be another "romantic" space in Paris where lovers can continue the padlock tradition?

Or...

Is this vandalism and a burden on taxpayers?

Re: Pont des Arts

Vivian — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:01:50 GMT

Le Pont des Arts became a model for other cities. It’s so romantic, so Parisian. I understand that the weight of the locks became an issue but there must be another way to demonstrate love in the City of Lights.

Re: Pont des Arts

sunshine45 — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:04:04 GMT

i like the plexiglass look.

how much of a tax burden is it on the people that actually live there and do they mind it?

Re: Pont des Arts

lolakimono — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:09:52 GMT

@sunshine45

The removal pictures are telling.

Excerpt from Conde Nast Traveler-

The act was popular with honeymooners, but locals weren't as fond of the locks, which weighed down the bridge to the point of endangering its structure. Altogether, city workers removed an estimated one million locks—65 tons' worth, including 20 tons from the nearby Pont de l'Archevêché alone.

Re: Pont des Arts

missy1 — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:14:35 GMT

Maybe they can melt all the locks and make something cool.

Re: Pont des Arts

GCR18 — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:16:44 GMT

It probably is a tax burden the locals. They should find a way to keep the history without people leaving things. Maybe they could melt the locks and build a statue.

Re: Pont des Arts

GCR18 — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:17:36 GMT

@missy1 wrote:
Maybe they can melt all the locks and make something cool.

Haha. Exactly what I was thinking.

Re: Pont des Arts

Drythe — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:17:46 GMT

We have (perhaps HAD) a padlock there.

I understand about weight, cost, tax burden really do, but in this case I err on the side of romance.

After all, to be pragmatic, romance brings a good deal of revenue to Paris, indeed to France.

Re: Pont des Arts

sunshine45 — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 20:29:40 GMT

well then, if the locals are opposed, then i vote for the plexiglass. LOL

Re: Pont des Arts

stevieb — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 23:43:35 GMT

There's nothing romantic about a padlock affixed to a bridge. It's costly and it's vandalism. Lovers need to find another way to express their supposedly undying love... One wonders how many could go back and undo those padlocks had they not tossed the key into the water, undoubtedly promoting rust in the already polluted Seine... Sorry romantics, I find this one a bit ridiculous...

Re: Pont des Arts

dooBdoo — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 02:09:59 GMT

@lolakimono, @Vivian, @sunshine45, @missy1, @GCR18, @Drythe, @stevieb

The locks were removed about 3 1/2 years ago, in the summer of 2015, and they stopped allowing the practice at that time.

In May 2017 the city held an auction and sold the locks:

"...The auction raised a total of €250,000 which will go to three charities who are helping refugees: Solipam, the Salvation Army and Emmaüs Solidarité..."

(source: "Paris 'love locks' raise thousands at auction" -- connexionfrance.com/French-news/Paris-love-locks-raise-thousands-at-auction)

I can't find anything that says the tradition was moved elsewhere in Paris... even though I'm very much a romantic at heart❤️, it seems to me these "traditions" probably begin with good intentions but have too much potential to become an eyesore. I suppose the local governments have to weigh the cost of overseeing any site, complete with upkeep, management, etc., against any benefits.

Re: Pont des Arts

Bri369 — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 00:29:52 GMT

Maybe they can build an exhibit of some sort - not on a bridge.

Seems ashame to just take them all away.

Re: Pont des Arts

dooBdoo — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 00:31:18 GMT

@Bri369 wrote:
Maybe they can build an exhibit of some sort - not on a bridge.

Seems ashame to just take them all away.

They've all been sold at auction, @Bri369, for what sounds like a very good cause.😊

Re: Pont des Arts

cherry — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 00:32:08 GMT

Mary's House, in Ephesus, makes all of the prayer intention's, which are a great many, be written on toilet paper. It is biodegradable. The Muslim women, as well as Christians, have great devotion, to Our Lady. It looks a bit tacky, to see toilet paper intentions, posted, but, at least it isn't permanent, and it doesn't harm the environment., and people are also free to ask for favors .so everyone is satisfied

Re: Pont des Arts

Drythe — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 01:19:13 GMT

@cherry wrote:
Mary's House, in Ephesus, makes all of the prayer intention's, which are a great many, be written on toilet paper. It is biodegradable. The Muslim women, as well as Christians, have great devotion, to Our Lady. It looks a bit tacky, to see toilet paper intentions, posted, but, at least it isn't permanent, and it doesn't harm the environment., and people are also free to ask for favors .so everyone is satisfied

@cherry

Have lit candles for intention at Ephesus and seen the TP. At one time there was a tiny post office there where you could mail postcards which would arrive with the post mark ‘Mary’s House’. Sadly the last time I was there the post office had been replaced by an officer’s station.