Paris sells love locks to raise money for migrants

(Baonghean.vn) - 65 tons of love locks removed from bridges in the French capital over the past year and a half will be put up for sale, and could raise 100,000 euros for migrant groups.

Love locks on the Pont Neuf bridge, photographed in August 2016. Paris authorities have spent the past 18 months removing the locks from the city's bridges. Photo: AFP.

Over the past two years, Paris has embraced the love lock trend, in which couples, especially tourists, attach locks to the city's bridges as a symbol of their love.

And since officials decided to start removing the locks 18 months ago – cutting around 1 million in the process – 65 tonnes of metal have now been disposed of.

Now authorities hope the removed locks will continue to send a message of love, after announcing plans to sell 10 tonnes of locks to members of society who want to own a piece of Parisian history - and give the proceeds to migrant groups.

“People can buy five or 10, or even more, at a very reasonable price. All the money raised will go to those who are working to help and unite migrants in Paris,” said Bruno Julliard, deputy mayor of Paris.

Juillard added that he hopes the sale of the locks, scheduled to take place next year, could raise up to 100,000 euros, and the remaining locks will be melted down and sold as scrap.

Phu Binh

(According to Guardian)