Pont des Arts

Pont des Arts have an international reputation as the bridge of romance. It was the first metal bridge built in the city and connects the Quai de Conti at the Institut de France with the Quai des Tuileries, where the Louvre Museum is situated.

The first metal bridge in Paris was built early in the 19th century, on the site now occupied by the modern Pont des Arts.
Elegant and lightweight, this represented the cutting edge of engineering in its day, being made of cast iron. Inspired by the world’s first cast-iron bridge, built across the River Severn in England, Napoleon Bonaparte asked engineers to design a bridge that would resemble a garden suspended over the Seine, adorned with flowers and furnished with benches on which pedestrians could rest.

The Pont des Arts is a firm favorite of artists and photographers who draw inspiration from its magnificent views along the river. It is also a popular picnic spot and, of course, a significant attraction for lovers from all over the world who would gather in this most romantic of locations and carry out a curious but much-loved tradition; attaching love locks to the bridge.

The tradition originated in Hungary; lovers would attach padlocks engraved with their names to the sides of the bridge before throwing the key in the river as a symbol of eternal devotion. It was a charming idea, but sadly in practice, it led to the considerable accumulated weight of the locks damaging the bridge. Thus the authorities decided in 2015 to have all the love locks removed from the bridge. Nonetheless, the Pont des Arts and the nearby Pont de l’Archevêché remain iconic locations for a romantic tryst in Paris and perfect places to enjoy a cozy picnic for two.

Address: Pont des Arts, 75006 Paris, France