Sure, Paris may be known as the city of love and romance and all that crap, but it’s not as romantic as you might think, and getting your heart broken is universal. A broken heart is as sure to the human experience as breathing or sleeping. If you’ve ever laughed, you’ve had (or will have) your heart broken. Because there’s no way to experience joy without pain, nor darkness without light.

The folks at the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, Croatia know this, and created an entire gallery that houses the artifacts of love lost – teddy bears, love notes, handcuffs. The donation of these objects had many reasons, whether catharsis, exhibitionism, or just for fun – but all were the relics of a relationship ended. Now the museum has taken the show on the road and are now displaying “Le Musée des Coeurs Brisés” (Museum of Broken Hearts) at the Centquatre art space

It’s fascinating to browse the seemingly simple objects of the expo (an axe, a wedding dress) and to read the stories tied to each item. What would you donate? I still have a plastic ring my college boyfriend got for me at a gas station toy machine during a road trip. I’d probably donate that.

Through January 20 at 104 Centquatre, 104 Rue d’Aubervilliers, 75019

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