JR Turns Paris’ Oldest Bridge Into a Giant Cave.

Opened on 15 June 2026, La Caverne du Pont-Neuf reimagines the historic Pont Neuf as a vast urban grotto. Stretching roughly 120 meters long and 20 meters wide, the installation rises between 12 and 18 meters high. The project pays tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude, whose famous The Pont Neuf Wrapped transformed the bridge in 1985. Known for bringing art into public spaces, French artist JR once again blurs the line between architecture, history and contemporary creativity. The result is an immersive experience that invites visitors to see one of Paris’ most familiar landmarks from an entirely new perspective.

Quai du Seine, Paris.

Despite its name, Pont Neuf is the oldest surviving bridge in Paris, built between 1578 and 1607. Today it provides the backdrop for JR’s ambitious intervention. The installation is free to visit, open 24 hours a day and accessible until 28 June 2026. It can be viewed from nearby quays, bridges, on foot, by bicycle or even from the water. Visitors should note that the route through the cave is one-way only. During the June heatwave, this proved challenging, as reaching the entrance again required a long walk across another bridge before returning through the warm interior. Yet even under the summer sun, the scale of the project remains impressive.

By turning a historic bridge into a temporary cavern, JR creates a dialogue between past and present, honoring Christo’s legacy while offering Parisians and visitors a rare chance to immerse themselves in a spectacular reimagining of one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks.