Couples in Paris have a tradition of sorts, often leaving behind padlocks on the Pont des Arts. Well, that tradition has led to the recent partial collapse of the bridge.

Couples in Paris have a tradition of sorts, often leaving behind padlocks on the Pont des Arts. Typically, they close a lock on the bridge railings and toss the key into the Seine River below to seal their love.

That tradition has led to the recent collapse of the bridge on which these locks are placed.

"On Sunday, nearly two and a half meters of railings collapsed under the weight of so called locks of love." [BBC]

Police quickly responded to the scene and ordered visitors to leave. Lovebirds have been installing locks on the bridge since 2008.

Not too many locals have been happy about the practice. In 2010 concerns were expressed that the locks posed a structural risk to the bridge and clearly those fears turned out to be valid.

Earlier this year, a campaign called 'No Love Locks' began picking up steam and a petition supporting a ban on the tradition received thousands of signatures. Those against the locks cited several reasons for the ban including the structural dangers, human risks as people were climbing over railings to attach them and the fact that the estimated 700 thousand padlocks served as an eyesore.

It’s not known what will be done post collapse to stop tourists from leaving the metal proof of their love behind.