The Girl and I visited one of the Love Lock Bridges while we were in Paris. Apparently, the idea of a love lock bridge is nothing new {it started in the early 2000’s}, but it is making a kind of resurgence. If you have never heard of them, it’s when two sweethearts write their name on a paper and attach it to a padlock {or write it on the padlock itself}. Then, they click the padlock onto some part of the bridge and throw the key into the river. It’s supposed to be a grand symbol of their unbreakable bond.
Apparently, in France at least, which bridge you choose matters. One bridge is for your committed love and the other bridge is for your lover…ah, only in France! The Girl and I went to Pont de l’Archevêché, 75005 Paris, France. It’s only about 2 streets up from the Notre Dame, so it’s really easy to find. Of course, it was just her and I, so no padlock, but holy buckets, there were a ton of them!
And what if your love ends? The tale goes that the only way to break the bond is to retrieve the key and unlock the padlock. Being that the keys are at the bottom of the river, it is apparently not that uncommon to see a jaded love stroll down with bolt cutters. I’m not going to lie, I would have given money to see that {I guess that means I’m not really a romantic at heart?}
I guess Love Lock Bridges are just one of the many reasons Paris really is the city of love.
~Mavis
Rosaleen says
We heard of the same custom in Russia during a trip there a few yeasrs ago. Maybe it is common in Europe.
Robin in SoCal says
Yes, to see someone with bolt cutters would have been the highlight of the trip!
Mavis Butterfield says
Ha! I agree.
Nicki says
Interesting way to symbolize love – a padlock! I’ve heard that the authorities in the various countries where this is done regularly take out their own boltcutters and clear out the locks.
Ellie says
I agree!!! It would have been a highlight of our trip (Mr J and myself) to see a person strolling along there with bolt cutters!! Te he!!
Joanne says
Dear Mavis
sad news, my niece was in France this spring and they have started to cut the locks off…. Sadly
Mavis Butterfield says
I read that. So sad. 🙁