"It’s a bit sad to watch" : a large part of "The Caverns" of JR was removed from the Pont-Neuf for repair

Under the leaden gray sky of Paris Monday June 8, The Cavernsnow largely uniform white, appears very dull. At both ends of the Pont-Neuf, the exterior canvas of the JR installation was removed, revealing the 120-meter-long internal inflatable structure. In the middle, only a small third of the work still displays the trompe-l’Å“il drawings which gave it its rocky appearance.

“It wasn’t very pretty before“, sneers a jogger on the Pont des Arts, from where we can see the entire work, partly skinned. But most passers-by sympathize, and regret the postponement of the opening, originally scheduled for Saturday June 6. “It’s a bit sad to watch today,” sighs a young woman who has come to nibble her breakfast at the foot of the bridge. “I was planning to visit it this weekend, which is a shame. Do you know when it will open then?“. JR and his teams are careful not to put forward a new date. The artist only confirmed on Instagram that it was indeed an exceptional weather phenomenon which had damaged his Cave last June 2.

Since then, no new press releases, but repairs are progressing. During the night of Friday June 5 to Saturday June 6, the damaged parts of the canvas left the capital and returned to the workshops of the Breton company where it was manufactured. Another encouraging sign: dressed all in gray, “mediators” responsible for guiding the public have appeared near the Pont-Neuf. “We had to start well this week, after the opening. Guide people, explain the artistic approach to them…“, explain three of them, students. “We do it anyway, a lot of people ask questions. It’s cool to make us work despite everything!”

The JR team confirms: the contracts were signed anyway, 30 mediators will be permanently present around the site. Like Scott Cohen, a retired American artist who patiently responds to tourists. Coming specially from the United States to participate in the project, he also worked with Christo and Jeanne-Claude, to whom The Caverns pays homage. “There are inevitably hazards in this type of project… In fact, it is even part of the approach“, he smiled. “Christo, it was the negotiations for authorizations, regulations, town hall… JR him, it was the weather!“

Undeniably, The Caverns had bad luck. On May 11, at the time of the first stage, the wrapping of the bridge pillars, it was three degrees at night! The inflation date had to be postponed three times due, already, to strong winds. The heat wave then complicated the teams’ work, until this new twist of fate, when the temperature suddenly dropped. A dark series that the “mediators” patiently recount to tourists, curious people or school visitors who take the Pont des Arts, the Pont-Neuf remaining inaccessible.

“Contrary to what its name says, it is in fact the oldest bridge in Paris“, explains a professor to her college class. Before adding: “above it is a work of art which was supposed to open on June 6 but which had problems. To see it you will have to come back later, with your parents.” In the meantime, on Instagram, JR advises his fans to go see the sketches of The Caverns, exhibited in a Parisian gallery.

JR, The Sketches of “The Cave” until July 25, 2026, at Galerie Perrotin, 76 rue de Turenne in Paris. Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.