Love Locks on the Pont des Arts – Photographic Tribute to Romantic Paris
A romantic symbol captured before it vanished. In 2014, Paris’ Pont des Arts was still covered in thousands of love locks. This photo series preserves a unique and emotional urban ritual, now gone from the cityscape.
The Pont des Arts, located in the heart of Paris, is far more than just a pedestrian bridge crossing the Seine. Connecting the Institut de France with the Louvre Palace, it has become a global symbol of romance for couples around the world. On a quiet evening in August 2014, I captured the essence of this iconic site through a series of photographs.
Built between 1802 and 1804 during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Pont des Arts was the first metal bridge in Paris. Its light and elegant structure has long attracted artists, painters, and photographers thanks to its panoramic views over the Seine and the surrounding monuments. In the early 2000s, however, the bridge became famous for a romantic custom: the love locks.
Couples from all over the world would attach padlocks bearing their initials to the bridge’s railings and throw the key into the Seine, symbolizing eternal love. Though poetic, the growing weight of the locks raised concerns about the preservation of the historic structure. In 2015, the Paris authorities removed the locks for safety reasons.
During my 2014 visit, the bridge was still adorned with thousands of these symbols of love, creating a powerful visual and emotional atmosphere. The morning sun glinted off the metal surfaces, adding a poetic dimension to the scene. Street artists, musicians, and passersby added to the lively and romantic mood of this unique Parisian location.
Author: Sebastien Desnoulez is a travel and architecture photographer based in France. His images highlight the emotional character of public spaces and iconic landmarks, blending poetry with visual clarity. Learn more.
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All the photos displayed on this website are copyright protected © Sebastien Desnoulez. No use allowed without written authorization.
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