PARIS - France’s romantic capital is locked in a controversy these days over how couples express their love for each other.

Inspired by the actions of a couple in a French film - they cement their ever-lasting love for each other by locking a padlock on the parapet of a Paris bridge and then throw the key into the Seine - thousands of romantics have duplicated the act and now city officials say the gesture is creating some unexpected and dangerous consequences.

Above: Lovers lock their emotions in Paris' bridges.

Several bridges leading to major tourist attractions like the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral are completely covered in locks and the extra weight is placing strain on the aging parapets, many of which are ancient and rusting.

City officials, afraid some frail bridge walls may collapse under the heavy weight of the locks and fall into the river, have begun removing steel sections of the bridge railings and will be replacing them with plexiglass walls - not as romantic as the previous elaborate parapets but something had to be done to discourage the practice.

One of the major problems with the locks, according to city officials, is that when relationships end, one of the lovers usually returns to the bridge and cuts the lock, which then falls into the river, or worse, onto passing tour boats. Tour guides have reported seeing tourists being hit with the falling locks.

Unlocking this problem may take more than just a key.