French artist JR installed a temporary art project on the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris during the final week of June 2026. The installation, titled "La Caverne du Pont Neuf," involved draping the city's oldest bridge in layers of fabric designed to resemble the interior and exterior of a mountain cave.
The project opened during a period of extreme heat in the French capital, with temperatures reportedly reaching 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors were permitted to walk through the interior of the fabric structure, which featured dark walls and integrated ventilation.
While the installation provided a visual transformation of the landmark, it did not offer a significant reduction in temperature for pedestrians. Reporting indicated that the rectangular fans installed within the structure predominantly circulated the existing warm air rather than providing air conditioning.