I sneakily snapped this pic of an artist who was painting on the Padlock Bridge (Pont de l’Archeveche) on Monday. I love seeing the artists doing their thing in the streets, it feels so very French!
You can see all the padlocks in the background. You're supposed to take your partner to the bridge, write your names and sometimes a message on a padlock, and attach it to the bridge. Then you keep one key each and throw the other in the Seine (although I prefer not to - apparently and rather unsurprisingly it's severely damaging the wildlife). It's supposed to keep you locked together forever. Some of the messages are very nice to read, and occasionally you come across one which says 'will you marry me?', so people are proposed to on this bridge!
For me, this shot epitomises the stereotypical view we Brits have of France - romance and art. You know, the stereotype is quite nice really! - Lucy
