Street art replaces locks on Paris bridge taken down amid complaints

PARIS – Instead of "love locks," the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris is now decorated with love graffiti.

Paris authorities last week ripped off 45 tons of padlocks affixed by lovers to the bridge over the Seine River. The city said the locks are damaging landmark sites, and a chunk of fencing on the bridge fell under their weight. Residents also decried the appearance of the locks.

They were replaced by temporary panels of city-commissioned street art that are receiving mixed reactions.

Meanwhile, locks still hang on fencing adjacent to the bridge — and lovestruck Paris visitors are continuing to hang padlocks on other bridges and sites around the city.

The city plans more permanent plexiglass panels on the bridge later this year.