The team of JR has officially begun repairs on La Caverne du Pont-Neuf, its temporary, immersive installation that covers the Pont-Neuf in Paris's 1st arrondissement, two days after the damage caused by the strong winds on Tuesday, June 2. The public opening, initially scheduled for Saturday, June 6, has been definitively postponed to a later date.
On Tuesday morning, June 2, while maintenance was still ongoing on the outer canopy, powerful wind gusts from strong gusts of wind tore at the edges of the fabric. In a statement released on Thursday, June 4, 2026, JR Studio described the incident as a "weather-induced exceptional phenomenon" and noted that "strong gusts occurred while exterior canopy work was underway, causing tears at the ends." Technical and engineering experts on site have corroborated this assessment.
The general inspection of the work pinpointed the damage precisely: the canvas tearing caused localized deterioration in three areas of the inflatable envelope. On the bright side, the envelope’s compartmentalization and the safety systems in place helped contain the incident.
For context, this colossal structure measures 120 metres long, 20 metres wide and up to 18 metres high, draping the Pont-Neuf from end to end over 18,900 square metres of trompe-l'oeil printed polyester. The scale of the project becomes clearer.
Repairs are underway on two fronts at once: the outer canvas on one side, and the damaged components of the inflatable envelope on the other. The torn canvas will, for its part, be refurbished in a workshop. The project remains weather-dependent, and for safety reasons the work "will only take place when weather conditions have returned to their seasonal norm," the statement says. As for reassembling the canvas, "several options are being studied" given the dimensions of the artwork.
The new opening date will be announced "in light of the progress of key milestones" of the repairs. Time is running out, however: the installation, which will be open free of charge 24/7 for up to 700 visitors at once, must close its doors on the June 28, 2026, followed by two weeks of dismantling. Official announcements can be followed on the official site of La Caverne du Pont-Neuf and on the City of Paris.
In the meantime, the installation remains visible from the quays and the surrounding bridges. For the curious who want to dive into the project now, the Perrotin Gallery offers The Sketches of the Cave of Pont-Neuf, a free show presenting JR’s drawings and preparatory research, open from June 5 to July 25, 2026. And to meet the artist in person, a book-signing session is planned for June 13 at a Marais gallery.
What JR had envisioned as the world's largest immersive artwork, paying tribute to the wrapping of the Pont-Neuf by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in 1985, will therefore have to wait a few more days before opening to the public. Officials' announcements are being watched closely.
