Paris to bid farewell to 45 tons of 'love locks' on Pont des Arts and other Seine bridges

Paris is finally going to bring an end to the legacy that drew many a lovers to the so-called "love-lock" bridge Pont des Arts.

According to city officials, all the locks blanketing the bridge will be taken off starting Monday (1 June).

"This phenomenon generates two problems: a lasting degradation of the heritage of Paris and also a risk to the safety of visitors, Parisians and tourists," read a statement from the city council on Friday (29 May).

The tradition, which has become a tourist must-do in Paris, involves writing your initials on a lock and attaching it on to a bridge, and throwing off the key into the river.

Padlocks weighing an estimated 45 tons are set to be removed from the bridge in an effort to prevent a safety hazard.

At present, city hall officials have estimated that the total weight of the panel carrying the padlocks on the Pont des Arts bridge is at 500 kgs, which is roughly four times the permitted weight limit.

A part of parapet of the bridge collapsed in 2014 due to the added weight of million of padlocks bearing initials of lovers from all across the world.

"It is a catastrophe for the bridge," said Barbara Atlan, the city hall spokeswoman, reported The Wall Street Journal. "We need to preserve the heritage."

Locks will also be removed from other locations, such as the Pont de l'Archeveche, near the Notre Dame cathedral, and other Seine bridges.

Love will not be lost

Paintings will eventually be placed on the metal grilles on the sides of the Pont des Arts during the summer followed by transparent panels to avoid a rebound love-lock scenario.

Paris' deputy mayor, Bruno Julliard, however insists love will not be lost so lovers can save the heartbreak.

Julliard has reassured other initiatives will follow to ensure people can still come to Paris to express their love.

"We want Paris to remain the capital of love and romance," said Julliard, reported BBC News.