>Last-minute update: the Caverne du Pont Neuf is now open to the public!
The event promises to be one of the highlights of the Parisian cultural season. By transforming this iconic thoroughfare into a 120-metre-long urban cave, French artist JR is not just changing the landscape; he is creating a dialogue between historical heritage and contemporary art, accessible to all, free of charge, day and night.
More than forty years after the historic wrapping of the Pont Neuf by Christo and his wife Jeanne-Claude in 1985, JR is reviving this tradition of monumental public art. La Caverne du Pont Neuf is directly inspired by the Lutetian limestone quarries - the famous ‘stone of Paris’ - from which the bridge itself, completed in 1607, was built. The artist thus seeks to highlight the geological origins of Parisian architecture by juxtaposing the ‘wild’ with the refinement of the capital, creating a fascinating dialogue between past and present.
©Fondation Christo et Jeanne-Claude
©Atelier JR
With thanks to the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation and the Atelier JR
La Caverne du Pont Neuf is part of an artistic cycle whose works have left their mark on the capital and its heritage: the creation of spectacular trompe-l'oeil at the Louvre (2019) and installation on the façade of the Opéra Garnier (2023), the artist continues to question our relationship with the city by opening ‘breaches’ in our most familiar monuments.
To ensure the success of this complex installation, a full-scale testing phase was conducted in January 2026 in a historic hangar at Paris-Orly Airport. In this space, once dedicated to aircraft maintenance, JR and his teams deployed a 15-metre-high prototype to adjust the structure, sound and lighting. This rigorous approach is reminiscent of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's working methods.
Extend your experience of JR’s Caverne du Pont-Neuf at Voyage Samaritaine. From 18 to 28 June 2026, discover an exclusive menu inspired by the artwork: a ‘Clair-obscur’ beef dish with mushrooms and the ‘L’écrin de la caverne’ chocolate and caramel dessert.
A perfect blend of gastronomy and art.
More than just a visual installation, La Caverne du Pont Neuf is a temporary structure that redefines the passage between the right bank and the left bank. Designed as a geological outgrowth sprouting from the asphalt, the work consists of a high-tech inflatable structure covered with a textured canvas that perfectly imitates the steep walls of old Parisian limestone quarries.
The public is invited to experience the work in two complementary ways:
This engineering feat is impressive in its dimensions:
As well as his installation at the Pont Neuf, JR has designed the official poster for Roland-Garros 2026. Unveiled on 19 March, this design combines the texture of clay courts with his famous photographic collage. Between the limestone of the old bridge and the ochre of the courts, the artist is leaving a double mark on the Parisian landscape this June 2026.
To complete the immersion, JR called on renowned collaborators. Thomas Bangalter (formerly of Daft Punk) – deeply marked at the age of 10 by the 1985 wrapping of the Pont Neuf – composed a specific sound identity. For its part, Snap Inc.'s AR Studio Paris offers an augmented reality experience: via your smartphone, the walls of the cave come to life, revealing perspectives hidden behind the canvas.
True to Christo's philosophy, the project is entirely financed by private funds and the sale of JR's works. The environmental impact has been minimised: a lightweight inflatable structure limiting transport, canvases printed locally in France with solvent-free water-based inks, raw materials manufactured in Europe and a second life already planned for the materials after 28 June 2026.
Closed between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on 25 June 2026 due to an official visit. Open until 8pm on Sunday 28 June 2026
The journey continues on the other side of the river. As the perfect complement to the monumental work on the bridge, La Samaritaine is teaming up with JR from 23 May to 28 June 2026 to transform its famous “Boutique de Loulou” into a unique pop-up space.
This reimagined concept store offers a sensory immersion into the artist’s world. You’ll discover exclusive pieces designed in collaboration with JR: limited-edition lithographs, official posters, coffee-table books, as well as a range of original accessories created with Arteum and Au Vieux Campeur (T-shirts, fans, scarves, etc.).
To extend the event and take home a unique souvenir of this historic installation, several original initiatives are on offer to visitors and travellers:
| Period | Traffic (Pont Neuf) | Public transport (Bus & Metro) |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May to 5 June (Set-up) | ⛔ Complete closure (vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians) | Buses 27, 58, 70: diverted via Boulevard du Palais. |
| During the event | 🚶 Pedestrians only (one-way from Left Bank to Right Bank) | Pont Neuf Metro station (L7): open, but exits 2 and 3 closed. Buses diverted. |
| After the event, until 13 July (Dismantling) | ⛔ Complete closure (vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians) | Buses 27, 58, 70: diverted via Boulevard du Palais. |
| Île de la Cité area | 🚫 Restricted motorised traffic (Quais Horloge/Orfèvres) | Restricted access for vehicles throughout the period. |
Source: Police Headquarters
JR's work can also be viewed from the outside. To appreciate its full grandeur, we suggest a walking tour, sometimes from above.
Our favourite viewpoints:
June 2026 marks a high point for the artist in Paris. In addition to La Caverne, you can find him:
June gets off to a flying start with Nuit Blanche. The month continues with the Fête de la Musique (21 June 2026) and Fashion Week (23 to 28 June 2026), making Paris the global epicentre of creativity for the entire duration of the installation.
