The DMS was lucky enough to visit Paris, France. We had an amazing trip and learned so much about French history. Plus, the views around every corner are breathtaking. We wish we could have taken our lovely readers along, but since we couldn't, we thought we'd share our travels with you...
As you walk along the Seine River in Paris, your eyes can't help but notice the glitter shining in the sunlight. Upon closer inspection, it's clear the sparkle comes from thousands of locks fastened to the bridges, and to each other.
This got us thinking. The idea of putting a lock on a bridge to cement love seemed very romantic. Was this a tradition that had been going on for hundreds of years? We looked it up and were surprised to discover that while the tradition is believed to date back almost 100 years, securing locks to bridges in Paris was relatively new. (You can find out more about the history from Wikipedia). It's believed to have started sometime around 2008 in France. Paris isn't the only city to have love locks showing up on bridges, they are found in cities all over the world.
In June 2015 many of the locks in Paris were removed from one of the bridges, the Pont des Arts, because the massive combined weight of the locks was causing the bride to crumble. Some cities welcome the locks and have places for tourists to secure them, but in cities where the locks are considered vandalism tourists have been asked to stop leaving them behind. There are even signs asking tourists to stop affixing locks to the bridges, monuments, and other points of interest around the city.
Whether you think they are beautiful or a nuisance, the locks certainly gave us something to think about.
Have you seen the love locks in Paris or another city? What do you think about tourists leaving them behind?
In a very small way, one of our bridges had started to feature love locks. Council has had them removed.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit torn about it - but would rather have the bridge than the locks.
Elephant's Child- It is amazing how much this fad is catching on everywhere. It seems romantic, but it is sad to learn it is bad for the bridges. ~L
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ReplyDeleteSorry, had to delete the comment cos I hadn't finished typing ... I heard about the news of removing the locks because they were weighing the bridge down not too long ago. Initially, the idea of love locks was romantic. But after a while, it became too much of a burden as well ~ looking at the locks became emotionally heavy. I like associating love with freedom rather than bondage.
ReplyDeleteClaudine- Very nicely put! At first we thought it was very romantic. But when we learned about the bridges that started to crumble, it seemed sad. Hopefully they will be able to get the situation under control! :) ~L and F
DeleteI’ve seen them in London but not in Paris (yet). We are visiting in December so will be sure to look out for them.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s a sweet thing to do but not if it’s causing damage, maybe fix them to the newer, stronger bridges.
Barbara- You will most likely seem them in Paris, unless they are able to get more of them down by then. I have heard that some places are putting up decorative metal trees for people to affix their love locks and that some cities have bridges that are strong enough to carry the weight of all the locks so they welcome them. :) ~L
DeleteYes! I saw a clip about those locks and their removal!
ReplyDeletePatty- Such an interesting story! :) ~L
DeleteThat's a scary amount of locks.
ReplyDeleteAnd I need to check my Feedly reader. I'm not getting your updates.
Alex- It is a scary amount of locks and that is just in one small section!
DeleteThanks for checking your Feedly reader. :) ~L
I heard about that a couple years ago when I saw it in a movie. Can you imagine locks destroying a bridge? Yikes.
ReplyDeleteCrystal- I guess the love locks took off after a YA book and movie (which is cool in one way that a book sparked part of this craze). I had no idea that on some bridges that amount of locks is about 2 tons and the bridges weren't built to carry that additional constant weight. Wow! :) ~L
DeleteI think this is an interesting idea but wow to locks almost bringing a bridge down... I guess that could certainly happen with the weight of so many.
ReplyDeleteParis is a city I want to visit... just walk the streets and see all the sights.
Launna- I was amazed by the weight of all the locks and the damage they could do. I hope you get to Paris. It is a beautiful city to walk around- so much to take in. :) ~L
DeleteI have seen these on several bridges, including a few here in Missoula. I love the idea :) Though I don't want them to bring the bridge down!
ReplyDeleteMeradeth- I love the idea too, but definitely don't want to bring any bridges down. I am glad there are some bridges that are encouraging the idea, so there are some places it is okay to do it. :) ~L
DeleteI had not seen or heard of the locks of love. How very interesting though I can imagine over time they would become heavy. That would interest me a lot to see one in person! Sounds like you guys had a wonderful trip!
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Betty- We had an amazing trip! It was fascinating to see all the locks and the number of them was just outstanding. Very pretty to look at, but sad that their weight is too much for the historic bridges. ~L and F
DeleteThey create quite a sculpture, don't they? But I can see why cities don't want them in such quantities. Imagine the weight of all that affection! :-)
ReplyDeleteLee- They are quite a sculpture- but the weight is just too much. I like the idea of the metal trees that are being designed to hold the locks- that sounds pretty! :) ~L
DeleteI love them, they're gorgeous! I've always wanted to see something like this in person. :)
ReplyDeleteBeth Ellyn Summer- It is a very pretty and sparkly sight! :) ~L
DeleteWe might be going to Paris and I would definitely like to see something like this~ I am glad to hear you had a wonderful time and I would love to hear about what others things you might have gotten up to. I didn't know this was such a recent happening though, which was interesting.
ReplyDeleteOlivia- Savannah- I thought the locks had been going on for like 100 years or something. But- it is a tradition that is less than 10 years old in Paris.
DeleteParis was just lovely. I hope you get to visit and take in all the sights. :) ~L
I've never been to Paris, but I have heard of these locks and I love the idea. I think Dublin has a bridge with them too.
ReplyDeleteShooting Stars Mag- Dublin does have a bridge with them too, but like Paris people are asked to not affix locks due to the damage they cause. From what I learned there are many cities across the world with these locks, and a few places welcome them (Scotland is one place that encourages it). :) ~L
DeleteI heard about a bridge like this not long ago. They were removing the locks. Sad.
ReplyDeleteKelly- I guess they are removing them from lots of bridges around the world. ~L
DeleteI have heard about them in Paris. I think it's a lovely idea, but if it's harmful to the bridge, then they'd have to be removed.
ReplyDeleteCherie- I agree that they are lovely, but also don't want to see historic bridges ruined. Instead, hopefully people will affix them to the bridges that allow it. :) ~L
DeleteI know it started in another city and it has been going on much longer there but I can't recall the city. If the locks damage the bridge-take them off! I think the idea is a sweet one as long as it is not causing harm to something that is beautiful in the first place. I have been to Paris and it is a beautiful city
ReplyDeleteBirgit- From what I learned the locks started around 100 years ago in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia. Then in the 2000s they started showing up in other cities around the world. I like that there are some places that it is okay to put a love lock, so romantics just need to find the right places. :) I am so glad you have been to Paris and enjoyed it too. ~L
DeleteI've seen them on the Brooklyn Bridge. They look real neat, but they shouldn't be on any structure that doesn't support them. I also saw the news article about how the weight of them was bad at certain spots.
ReplyDeleteMedeia- I haven't seen them on the Brooklyn Bridge- but I heard they are there. I know that is one of the bridges that takes them down. It is amazing how much all the locks weigh when put together! :) ~L
DeleteInteresting... Not sure how I feel. It feels like people are crossing a line they shouldn't. A cute public nuisance is still a public nuisance.
ReplyDeleteThe Armchair Squid- I agree! It is romantic and sweet, but if it is ruining parts of history, then it is a bad idea. In Paris it is considered vandalism. I hope the romantics out there will seek out the bridges that welcome the locks! :) ~L
DeleteInteresting, this is a new phenomenon to me
ReplyDeleteBrandi- I thought it was interesting too! :) ~L
DeleteWhat a lovely thought, but I can see the problem with so many locks. Maybe a special place, like a gazebo or something could be built for the locks. Guess it would take a huge one though. I never heard of this. Paris sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteBeverly- I love the idea of a gazebo built to hold the locks. That would be very romantic. :) ~L
DeleteI heard about but I read finally was a problem for the locks weight was so much!
ReplyDeleteBTW I hope some day goto Paris one of my favorite cities!!
Gloria- I guess the weight of all that love did become too much! I hope you get to go to Paris one day. You will love it. :) ~L
DeleteI heard about but I read finally was a problem for the locks weight was so much!
ReplyDeleteBTW I hope some day goto Paris one of my favorite cities!!
I heard about but I read finally was a problem for the locks weight was so much!
ReplyDeleteBTW I hope some day goto Paris one of my favorite cities!!
Heidi- I think the book you mentioned is the one that got the craze started. Before that it was something that had been done about 100 years ago in a different city and country. But, I guess a book got the idea in everyone's mind again. When you see them they do catch your eye and look interesting, but since they are ruining the old bridges it makes sense that they have to go. All the people who keep affixing them can read the signs that they are not allowed and will be removed. ~L
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