Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
French artist JR has just unveiled his most ambitious project yet: La Caverne du Pont Neuf – Paris's oldest bridge, transformed into a massive, immersive cave.
But just days before the opening, a violent storm nearly destroyed the entire installation. This is the story of how the team saved it – and why JR created the piece. It's a tribute to legendary artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who famously wrapped the Pont Neuf in 1985.
The installation is open now through June 28 in Paris.
About JR:
JR is a French artist known for his large-scale public installations around the world. His work blurs the line between art, activism and street culture.
CHAPTERS
00:00 A giant cave appears in Paris
00:49 The storm that almost ended everything
01:33 How the team saved the project
01:52 Inside the cave experience
02:52 JR's large-scale public installations around the world
03:01 A tribute to Christo & Jeanne-Claude
03:50 Cost, sustainability & critics
04:27 Why this project matters
#dweuromaxx #pontneuf #parisart
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CREDITS
Report: Katja Liersch
Camera: Rajko Stankovic
Edit: Benoît Lebec
Supervising Editor: Mirja Viehweger
Thumbnail Photograph of JR: © Valerie Macon/AFP
Thumbnail Photograph La Caverne du Pont Neuf: © Stéphane Geufroi/MAXPPP/IMAGO
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French artist JR has just unveiled his most ambitious project yet: La Caverne du Pont Neuf – Paris's oldest bridge, transformed into a massive, immersive cave.
But just days before the opening, a violent storm nearly destroyed the entire installation. This is the story of how the team saved it – and why JR created the piece. It's a tribute to legendary artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who famously wrapped the Pont Neuf in 1985.
The installation is open now through June 28 in Paris.
About JR:
JR is a French artist known for his large-scale public installations around the world. His work blurs the line between art, activism and street culture.
CHAPTERS
00:00 A giant cave appears in Paris
00:49 The storm that almost ended everything
01:33 How the team saved the project
01:52 Inside the cave experience
02:52 JR's large-scale public installations around the world
03:01 A tribute to Christo & Jeanne-Claude
03:50 Cost, sustainability & critics
04:27 Why this project matters
#dweuromaxx #pontneuf #parisart
--------------------------------------------
CREDITS
Report: Katja Liersch
Camera: Rajko Stankovic
Edit: Benoît Lebec
Supervising Editor: Mirja Viehweger
Thumbnail Photograph of JR: © Valerie Macon/AFP
Thumbnail Photograph La Caverne du Pont Neuf: © Stéphane Geufroi/MAXPPP/IMAGO
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to DW Euromaxx:
bit.ly/DWEuromaxx_Sub
Would you like to find out more about Euromaxx?
▸Website: dw.com/english/euromaxx
▸Facebook: facebook.com/dw.euromaxx
▸Instagram: instagram.com/dw_euromaxx
DW Euromaxx brings you engaging insights into European cultures and lifestyles.
