A fake mountain and real magic transform Paris' oldest bridge
Key takeaways
- Paris — There’s a present-day answer to the question that was posed in verse by the French medieval poet and street brawler François Villon: “Where are the snows of yesteryear?”
- They’re right here, in high summer, on Paris’ oldest bridge, the Pont Neuf, where an enormous art installation, a trompe l’oeil inflatable snow-clad mountain range, has arisen over the river Seine.
- They’re the fabled duo who first wrapped the arches of this same bridge in straw-colored fabric in 1985.
Paris’ Pont Neuf has sprouted a snow-capped inflatable mountain, JR’s trompe l’oeil “cave” that turns the city’s oldest bridge into a 24-hour walkthrough illusion. (Elea Jeanne Schmitter) By Patt Morrison Columnist Follow June 20, 2026 3 AM PT 6 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
Paris — There’s a present-day answer to the question that was posed in verse by the French medieval poet and street brawler François Villon: “Where are the snows of yesteryear?”
They’re right here, in high summer, on Paris’ oldest bridge, the Pont Neuf, where an enormous art installation, a trompe l’oeil inflatable snow-clad mountain range, has arisen over the river Seine.