The new Pont des Arts
Paris is a romantic city. Couples from all over the world go there for their honeymoons, and to propose marriage. Uncoutable love movies also take place there and it its indeed a great city for dating.
One of the most famous romantic spots in Paris used to be Pont des Arts, a bridge that crosses the Seine river just in front of the Louvre Museum. Besides the beautiful view, it used to be a place were lovers would put padlocks with their initials and through the key in the river, so their love would forever be stuck in Paris.
Unfortunatelly, the locks were taken out of there because it was harming the bridge's structure - there were more than 1 million of them, weighting more than 1 tonne! The locks were auctioned by the city hall to raise money for institutions that support refugees - is there a bigger act of love?
But the lovers of Paris didn't stop locking their love. Now they put their love locks in Pont Neuf, a bridge that connects the Marais neighbourhood with 7th arrondissement region, going through l'île de la Cité, an island in the middle of the Seine river where Notre Dame church and Saint Chapelle are located.
Pont Neuf is the next bridge after Pont des Arts and has a very similar and beautiful view. It is now covered with padlocks and filled with lovers. Its structure is more resistant than the other, so this time we hope there won't be no risk of damage.
History beyond love
Besides the love story, Pont Neuf has a lot of history. It is the oldest bridge in Paris, built in the end of the 16th century. Its architecture is similar to roman constructions, with archs. Also, it has a statue of the French king Henrique IV, who inaugurated the bridge.
Pont Neuf and the statue were partially destroyed during the French Revolution, but reconstructed. It is an historic place in Paris.
Location
It doesn't matter if you're in Paris for a romantic trip or not, you should definetely visit Pont Neuf (and Pont des Art as well). Besides the love locks, it is a great place for admiring the Seine river and it is also close to other must sees in town such as Notre Dame church, Sainte Chapelle, Shakespeare and Company book store and more.
You can get there by subway - the closest station is Pont Neuf (line 7) - or by train, hoping of Saint-Chapelle Notre Dame station (RER C and B lines). I also recommend walking in the margins of the Seine from D'Orsay or Louvre Museum until there. That way you will be able to admire the city shore. Don't miss this place!
Photo gallery
Content available in other languages
- Español: El nuevo Pont des Arts
- Français: Le nouveau Pont des Arts
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