Overview
- The inflatable structure was raised during the night of May 20–21, when teams completed the main gonflage and the fabric forms—about 120 metres long, roughly 20 metres wide and reaching 12–18 metres high—became visible over the bridge.
- Organisers have scheduled the interior to open free to the public 24 hours a day from 6 to 28 June and have limited bridge crossings to pedestrians and cyclists, which will block motor traffic across the Pont‑Neuf during the run.
- The build has been large in scale: reporting cites roughly 800 people involved in the installation, specialised textile work and the use of tens of thousands of cubic metres of air to inflate the double‑walled fabric shell.
- JR presents the project as an homage to Christo and Jeanne‑Claude, the sound design is by Thomas Bangalter, and the artist frames the work around a cave allegory that invites an immersive, sensory experience.
- The foundation says the project is privately sponsored; a single outlet reported a €12 million budget and an 8 million visitor projection, and organisers warn teams must finalise interior fittings and visitor access logistics before the June opening, which may affect crowd flow and local traffic.