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| The Eiffel Tour viewed from a boat ride on the Seine Photo Karen F. Rose |
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| Passing under the Napoleon Bridge Photo Karen F. Rose |
Part of the joy and adventure of my trip to France was a birthday gift my daughter gave me, a boat ride at night on the Seine. The weather was perfect for seeing "The City of Lights".
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| Locks of Love on the Pont Des Arts bridge in Paris Photo Karen F. Rose |
Walking from the Louvre across the Le Pont des Arts, a pedestrian bridge, to the boat ramp, I was surprised to see thousands of locks covering both sides of the bridge. Hundreds of people were sitting, chatting and picnicking on the bridge. The locks glistened in the night air almost as if they were ornaments on a Christmas tree.
Being curious, I just had to ask. "What's this adornment of the bridge all about"?
I was told that people "who are in love" come to the bridge and afix a lock to the bridge as a testiment to their everlasting devotion to each other then throw the key into the Seine.
Well. such an event is not without controversy. Government officials were concerned that all these locks are defacing a national monument, a French treasure. So, one night in 2010, in the middle of the night. government officials removed all the locks.
Just as quickly as they disappeared they reappeared again.
Ah love is always in the air in Paris, I guess.
How would you feel if thousands of people wrote love messages on one of our Vermont covered bridges or placed padlocks all over the Brooklyn bridge? I am curious to hear your thoughts.
In my next post I'll introduce you to a French woman, an art historian
who I've wanted to meet, if only in spirit.
If you have not already done so, I invite you subscribe to my blog. Who knows, you might be the winner of a little something from France I am giving away at the end of my Paris and Beyond posts!
Being curious, I just had to ask. "What's this adornment of the bridge all about"?
I was told that people "who are in love" come to the bridge and afix a lock to the bridge as a testiment to their everlasting devotion to each other then throw the key into the Seine.
Well. such an event is not without controversy. Government officials were concerned that all these locks are defacing a national monument, a French treasure. So, one night in 2010, in the middle of the night. government officials removed all the locks.
Just as quickly as they disappeared they reappeared again.
Ah love is always in the air in Paris, I guess.
How would you feel if thousands of people wrote love messages on one of our Vermont covered bridges or placed padlocks all over the Brooklyn bridge? I am curious to hear your thoughts.
In my next post I'll introduce you to a French woman, an art historian
who I've wanted to meet, if only in spirit.
If you have not already done so, I invite you subscribe to my blog. Who knows, you might be the winner of a little something from France I am giving away at the end of my Paris and Beyond posts!
8 comments:
I am just loving each and every post that you are doing on this. Since I am not able to go anytime soon, I am getting a chance to visit through you and I thank you for that. Love that your daughter gave you a nighttime boat ride as a gift. All the sweeter! Love the night time photos...gorgeous. Thinking about the locks on the bridge- I am not sure~good to think about that. You are doing a fabulous job on these Paris Posts!
Beautiful images of a place to visit,
happy week.
What a total dream of a vacation!! --I was was there in '83 and how I'd love to go again.
I am with you Karen...no place like Paris..
I love your photos and posts from Karen. The locks are fabulous... this is the first I heard of or saw them. I get that it is vandalism of sorts, but very poetic.
So glad that you had a wonderful trip and grateful that you are sharing it with all of us.
Wonderful photos and blog posts from France Karen! Love the story behind the locks. It is the first that I heard of or saw them... leave it to you to find the something unique!
Wonderful pictures Karen , yes I agree Paris is a very special place. What a wonderful gift to receive. Great posts
I was in Paris in June of this year. To carry the story of the locks a little farther....when the lover's fall "out" of love, they are often found on the bridge, trying to remove their lock! There is more romance in Paris, but it doesn't necessarily last any longer than any other place!
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