Paris breaks up with 'love lock' tradition

PARIS (AP/WDRB) -- If your honeymoon dream is to "lock your love" in Paris, you may want to reroute that dream. The City of Love has broken up with the love-lock tradition.

Inspired by the novel and film "I Want You" by Italian author Federico Moccia, lovers would attach locks to the Pont Des Arts Bridge and throw the key into the river to seal the deal. This tradition began in Rome and spread worldwide.

However, the weight of the locks caused part of the bridge's fence to crumble. The bridge will be shut down all this week. French crews have started removing more than 700,000 locks that couples have attached over decades. Officials say the site has also become the home to graffiti and pickpockets.

Protective glass panels will be installed this fall to end the love lock tradition for good.

Paris officials attempted to encourage visitors to take a selfie with the bridge in the No Love Locks campaign. Since it was unsuccessful, the only choice was to take the locks down.

If you still have love and a padlock, there are still several locations around the world to lock your love. A map of those tourist destinations can be found here.