Timelapse footage shows 'giant cave' inflating on Paris bridge

Timelapse footage shows Paris' oldest bridge being transformed overnight into a giant inflatable cave structure.

The 17th-century Pont Neuf bridge is a familiar landmark spanning the River Seine, but was left almost unrecognisable to Parisians on Thursday.

Titled 'La Caverne' or 'the cave', it was created by French artist Jene-René - better known by his pseudonym JR. It's the latest in a series of large scale art installations across the city, measuring 120m in length and ranging from 12-18m in height.

Speaking to AP News, JR said he wanted the piece, which opens to the public on 6 June, to "juxtapose the rough and the wild with the refined elegance of Paris".

"There's also a kind of unknown," he added, "of fear, of entering into a cave - and at the same time, a fascination."

The installation, once opened, will run until 28 June.