Paris hopes selfies are key to ending tourist padlock’s iron grip on bridges

PARIS – 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.”