Pont Neuf 'Cavern' installation over the Seine finally opens after damage
Summary
French artist JR has opened a large art installation called the "Pont Neuf Cavern" on Paris's oldest bridge, the Pont Neuf. The project uses scent, sound, photos, and augmented reality to give visitors a new way to experience the historic bridge, after delays caused by wind damage to the inflatable structure.Key Facts
- The Pont Neuf Cavern is an 18-meter-high (59 feet) inflatable art installation covering the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris.
- It was planned to open on June 6, 2026, but strong winds damaged it, delaying the opening until June 15.
- The installation includes smells of wet earth and smoke, created by an olfactory expert, to enhance the experience.
- Sound effects by Thomas Bangalter, formerly of Daft Punk, add low rumbles and pulses inside the cavern.
- Visitors walk on the original cobblestones of the 17th-century bridge while inside the darkened cavern.
- An augmented-reality feature lets visitors use their phones to see digital bats, ghostly traces, and dancing figures.
- The installation is free and open 24 hours a day until June 28, 2026.
- The project honors earlier art on the bridge, especially a 1985 wrapping of the Pont Neuf by Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
- After closing, the installation materials will be reused or recycled, and normal traffic will resume on the bridge.
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