Paris has had enough of love locks, encourages selfies instead

Paris hopes to persuade couples to end the recent tradition of fixing padlocks to the Seine’s ageing 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 today, saying the city’s famed bridges “can’t resist your love” – the padlocks clinging to every available surface.

A tourist from Macau poses by padlocks on the railing of the Pont de l'Archeveche in Paris #lovewithoutlocks pic.twitter.com/K9WycIE9kX

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 13, 2014

The lovers’ locks craze dates back only a decade or so, but the weight is pulling bridge railings down.

Attaching a lock is a “symbol of togetherness”, said Lawrence Phillips, from Wales, at the bridge with his Australian girlfriend.

Dutch tourist Bob Te Booy agreed. “I think (a selfie) isn’t a good replacement.”