French artist JR gestures during an interview with the Associated Press next to the Pont Neuf bridge about his project called Pont Neuf Cavern, in Paris, France, Wednesday, February 18, 2026. MICHEL EULER / AP
Popular French artist JR – known for his large-scale projects, from photographs to graffiti and street art – wants Parisians to do something unusual on the city's arguably most famous bridge: stop. In June, the street artist often compared to Banksy plans to transform the bustling Pont Neuf, which despite its name dates back to the 17th century, into a walk-through "cave" – a temporary, monumental public artwork that will cover the stone arches with a rocky illusion and invite visitors to cross the River Seine through a tunnel, complete with sound and digitally augmented reality.
He says it's possibly the "largest immersive installation ever made" – one that will be accessible around the clock and offer a "totally different approach" to the bridge. "We're about to leave something pretty incredible in the middle of Paris," JR told the Associated Press at his studio in eastern Paris, wearing his trademark hat and shades. His project, the Pont Neuf Cavern, will run from June 6 to 28, spanning 120 meters in length and over 17 meters in height.
