Pont Des Arts' Love Padlocks: A Look At The Most Romantic Spot In Paris (PHOTOS)
Paris is widely known as the "City of Light," but it is also known as the city of love. From the Luxembourg Gardens to the ÃŽle Saint Louis on the Seine. the French capital city is a haven for passionate affairs that would make Humphrey Bogart blush.
However, there is one spot that stands above the rest of the amorous Parisian locations: the Ponts des Arts. Built in 1804, the nine-arch metallic footbridge is a destination for couples wishing to memorialize their love. Sweethearts from near and far visit the bridge to attach padlocks emblazoned with initials and messages before throwing the locks' keys into the Seine below.
The bridge was conceived by Louis-Alexandre de Cessart and Jacques Dillon, who imagined the structure as a suspended garden, with trees, embankments of flowers, and benches. Over the years, the Ponts des Arts was featured in movies like "Boudu Sauvé Des Eaux " and "Amelie ," eventually earning a reputation as the most romantic spot in Paris, despite the close call with a government official who referred to them as an "eyesore."
When Getty recently released the images below, we couldn't get enough of these lovable locks. Let us know your thoughts on the famous location in the comments section.
Le Pont Des Arts And The Love Padlocks In Paris
Le Pont Des Arts And The Love Padlocks In Paris
Le Pont Des Arts And The Love Padlocks In Paris
Le Pont Des Arts And The Love Padlocks In Paris
Padlocks adorn the Pont des Arts on January 4, 2013 in Paris, France. The nine-arch metallic footbridge completed in 1804 is one of the most romantic places of the capital where people visit it to attach love padlocks illustrated with their initials or messages of love, before throwing the key into the River Seine. The bridge is also a meeting place for artists who find inspiration from the surrounding views of the city. (Yves Forestier, Getty Images)
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Yves Forestier, Getty Images
Correction: In an earlier version of this article, we mistakenly referred to Paris as "The City of Lights," not "light." We regret the error.