PARIS (AP) — Paris hopes to persuade couples to end the unwelcome recent tradition of fixing padlocks to the Seine River’s aging bridges, and instead upload hashtagged selfies to a website dedicated to enduring love.
With giant stickers in French, English and Spanish on the Pont de l’Archeveche, behind Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris began its #lovewithoutlocks campaign on Wednesday, saying the city’s famed bridges “can’t resist your love” — the padlocks clinging to every available surface.
The lovers’ locks craze dates back only a decade or so. But the weight is pulling bridge railings down.
Attacking a lock is a “symbol of togetherness,” said Lawrence Phillips of Wales, at the bridge with his Australian girlfriend.
Dutch tourist Bob Te Booy agreed. “I think (a selfie) isn’t a good replacement.”
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