"Love locks" cause rail collapse on Paris bridge
- 10 years ago
Lovers in Paris pour across the Pont des Arts footbridge to 'lock their love' with padlocks.
It's a tradition that's been going on for more than five years.
But after part of the railing collapsed on Sunday, there are fears the locks are becoming too heavy.
Paris authorities were forced to close the bridge for a few hours.
On Monday, these American tourists said they planned to lock their love anyway.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. TOURIST STEVE AMITRANO SAYING:
"We've been married for 34 years and if we were going to lock our love in, this is the place to do it because we've loved each other for such a long time we might as well continue the tradition."
Authorities have been under pressure to clamp down on the practice.
Some Parisians see it as an eyesore.
But the city is worried that it would hurt their tourism industry and reputation as a city of love.
The padlocks are often inscribed with couples' names, who then throw the key
It's a tradition that's been going on for more than five years.
But after part of the railing collapsed on Sunday, there are fears the locks are becoming too heavy.
Paris authorities were forced to close the bridge for a few hours.
On Monday, these American tourists said they planned to lock their love anyway.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. TOURIST STEVE AMITRANO SAYING:
"We've been married for 34 years and if we were going to lock our love in, this is the place to do it because we've loved each other for such a long time we might as well continue the tradition."
Authorities have been under pressure to clamp down on the practice.
Some Parisians see it as an eyesore.
But the city is worried that it would hurt their tourism industry and reputation as a city of love.
The padlocks are often inscribed with couples' names, who then throw the key