Paris Bridge Is Losing Its Love Locks

Sorry, lovers. Paris officials have announced they will be cutting off close to one million "love locks" from the Pont des Arts bridge, the BBC reports. The locks, weighing an estimated 45 tons, are said to pose a safety risk. Though purchasing a lock to attach to the bridge, then throwing the key into the river, is a popular romantic gesture for loved-up tourists (including, famously, David and Victoria Beckham), the weight of said locks has been causing structural damage. Just last year part of the bridge collapsed under the weight of the love tokens, with the city undergoing a campaign encouraging couples to simply snap a selfie or show their affection in other ways. "We want Paris to remain the capital of love and romance," said Bruno Julliard, Paris' deputy mayor, in a statement. The bridge's metal grilles will be temporarily replaced by paintings before transparent panels are installed. The Pont de l'Archeveche will also have its locks removed. It's sad, of course, but safety must come before sentimentality.