Fri 31 Dec 2010
Have you heard about those locks that couples have been putting on the bridge of Pont des Arts? I’m not sure how the trend started but everyone seems to be getting into the game even though I understand that the locks are periodically all cut off.
A view of a few of them.
Then I went over to Notre Dame and went to the bridge behind the cathedral for my favorite photo op:
I love seeing the flying buttresses at the back.
Look at all of the locks on the bridge behind Notre Dame. Lots more than Pont des Arts.
A colorful collection along with ribbons.
And, may all of you have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. 2011 is going to be fabulous!
I know I might be seen as a old fuddy duddy but - those locks have to go! Ugly!! LOL
Love the Notre Dame and her buttresses too!
Happy 2011 Linda and its 10.00 in the evening here and the temp is - wait for it - 100f! Yes that hot!
I am “over” summer already! LOL
Bonne Annee to you Linda! Enjoy your celebration and I look forward to following your adventures in 2011. Hope I get to France next year!!
Linda, sometimes it takes me a while to get back here to catch up on your blog, but it’s always a pleasure when I do. I love your photos and stories and I hope you will continue to keep us entertained with them in the new year!
Happy New Year!
Are the locks a symbol of love? Do the couples come and remove them if they break up? And who keeps the keys? Hmmm. Very intriguing. You find the most interesting things to share about Paris.
Happy New Year, Linda. Thanks for all your efforts in bringing joy to us through your messages and photography - much appreciated.
I’ll have to remember to go behind Notre Dame to get my own photo - beautiful!! Got a new camera since the last time I was in Paris so hopefully can capture some of the gorgyles(sp?) as well - they are so ugly they’re cute.
Locking up your love? It seems at once both ugly for cluttering the bridge and rather charming for the emotion of it. Happy new year, bonne annee to you and Maurice.
Happy 2011 to you and Maurice. It’s hard to believe that the first decade of the 21st century already has passed…and much too quickly.
I first saw the locks and ribbons when walking on the Great Wall. Don’t remember the exact story now, but in China it’s the fashion for newly engaged or newly wed couples to climb up, snap their lock on the fence, and throw the key off the side of the wall to symbolize eternal togetherness. It’s a lovely idea but better in China than in Paris; Paris is much too beautiful to have locks dangling off the Pont des Artes. Perhaps they should be relocated to a wall at Pompidou and be called modern art! At any rate, I hope it’s just a temporary fad.
So why are they putting locks out and who started it and why, I wonder?
I love your image of Notre Dame - I agree that it is the perfect position for the photo!
I had heard about the locks, but not seen them. It is certainly strange!
Happy New Year to you! I had not heard of those locks…one of my daughters just spent New Year’s in Paris with her boyfriend, and I don’t think they had heard of them or they certainly would have put one up!
I have started a new blog BTW — address above. I was feeling a bit hemmed in by all of that deepest France imagery.