honoring christo & jeanne-claude, JR to transform pont neuf into a cavernous grotto

the pont neuf to be transformed again after 40 years

In September 2025, Paris will mark forty years since Christo and Jeanne-Claude activated the Pont Neuf with The Pont Neuf Wrapped, a landmark installation that elevated the bridge from an infrastructural icon to an ephemeral work of art. The project, executed in 1985, wrapped the city’s oldest bridge in 41,800 square meters of fabric, secured by thirteen kilometers of rope and twelve tons of steel cables. This vision took a decade of planning and negotiations before it came to life.

‘I wanted to transform it, to turn it from an architectural object, an object of inspiration for artists, to an art object itself,’ Christo explained at the time. ‘I wanted it to become a sculpture for the first time, but an ephemeral one.’

The wrapping remained on the bridge for two weeks, during which three million visitors engaged with the installation. True to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s philosophy, the project invited the public‘s individual interpretation, embracing the transient nature of art. In time for the anniversary in September, French artist JR will bring his own large-scale activation to the historic bridge.

jr’s homage to christo and jeanne-claude

To commemorate this anniversary, contemporary artist JR will reimagine the Pont Neuf with Projet Pont Neuf, a large-scale installation inspired by Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s groundbreaking work. Collaborating with the team at the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation, JR’s vision will transform the iconic bridge into a stone-like cave for two weeks in September 2025.

Drawing inspiration from the quarries that provided Paris with its historic stones, JR’s design juxtaposes the city’s refined elegance with raw, untamed textures. The installation will serve as a reflection on Paris’ evolving relationship with nature and architecture.

‘I’m very inspired by the artistic vision of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, and I share their idea that the mission of art is to make the public think,’ JR notes. ‘The debate that a monumental project in the public space can provoke is of equal value to its artistic realization. Art is a transformation, and a way of renewing the way we look at the world around us.’

paris Continues its Legacy of Public Art

The project has received enthusiastic support from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who recalls her own experience with The Pont Neuf Wrapped. ‘In 1985, I was fascinated by Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s wrapping of the Pont Neuf… It was an unforgettable moment of poetry and beauty,’ the mayor says. ‘What a wonderful idea to revive this artistic gesture thanks to JR’s universe and immense talent!‘

JR and his team, supported by the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation, are working with local officials to carefully plan the installation, ensuring that it resonates with the city and its residents. As with its predecessor, Projet Pont Neuf will be privately funded.

Reflecting on the enduring impact of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s work, Vladimir Yavachev, Christo’s nephew and director of projects for the late artists, highlights the evolution of public art in Paris. ‘It’s really beautiful to see how much Paris has increased its commitment to public art in the past 40 years,’ Yavachev says. ‘Knowing JR’s dedication to public art, he’s an ideal artist for this tribute to Christo and Jeanne-Claude.’

Scheduled for September 2025, Projet Pont Neuf will invite Parisians and visitors alike to engage with the city’s beloved bridge in a completely new way, celebrating the timeless dialogue between art, architecture, and the urban landscape.

The Pont Neuf Wrapped (Project for Paris), Collage 1984, pencil, wax crayon, enamel paint, photograph by Wolfgang Volz, and masking tape, private collection, photo: Archive © 1984 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation