In less than 100 days, the Pont-Neuf will completely change its look. Artist JR is getting ready to cover it, transforming it into a massive cave made of fabric in tribute to the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, The Pont Neuf Wrapped, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. This large-scale installation— stretching 120 meters long and soaring up to 18 meters high — promises to be visually stunning, and it will also have a unique sound dimension. For this occasion, JR has teamed up with Thomas Bangalter, former member of Daft Punk.
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A visual and sound masterpiece
The date is set for June 6 to June 28, 2026. The iconic Pont-Neuf will don its "cave" attire connecting both banks of Paris. It will be open to the public every day, 24 hours a day.
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If they had already worked together during Retour à la Caverne - Act II. Chiroptera on the facade of the Opéra Garnier, JR and Thomas Bangalter are collaborating again for La Caverne du Pont-Neuf. The musician has envisioned “ a unique fabric, that would be sound without necessarily being music ”, reveals a statement. “ My intention is to sculpt a sound material from electro-acoustic elements, whose reach will mineralize the structure of the Cave with its monolithic and mystical aspect ”, clarifies Thomas Bangalter.
A project aiming to rethink the role of art
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In total, 800 people are involved in this project. To design it, JR drew his inspiration from the quarries where the stones used to build the bridge were sourced. “My vision for this project is inspired by both the past and the present of this iconic bridge. I admire the artistic legacy of Christo and Jeanne-Claude and share their belief that art's mission is to make us think, to question what is familiar to us.” explains JR. While the implementation may spark debate, the artist is clear: “Art is a transformation, a way to renew the perspective we have of the world around us.”