France

It's not unusual to see 'striking workers' parading through the streets of Paris flag waving, blowing trumpets, beating drums, and generally voicing their rights - some of which are extremely generous - for example many workers are able to retire on a full pension whilst still in their mid 50s 

There must always be plenty of work for the French arborists. Not only do the municipal parks and gardens have pollarded and pleached trees, but most roads, avenues, streets and pathways up and down the country have trees marching along them like regimental soldiers

Did you notice the elegant street lighting?

Beautiful bridges crossing the River Seine are collapsing from the weight of these so called love-locks - why do tourists continue to do it? not only damaging historical bridges but marring classic views along the river

Les amoureux, Jardin de Luxembourg

mode élégante

Don't you just love the street furniture?

Hector Guimard's Art Nouveau metro entrances

with their stylish organic flower bud lights

 

Wallace drinking fountains are a symbol of Paris found scattered along the sidewalks. Designed by Charles-Auguste Lebourg, they are named after an Englishman Richard Wallace, who financed their construction. A Wallace fountain can also be found outside the Wallace Collection in London, a gallery that houses works of art collected by him 

Art Nouveau glass canopies

and these quaint newspaper and magazine stands

I am guessing that this stylish little building in Jardin de Luxembourg could be where boules or pétanque is played. There is a stone bench seat running around the outside of the building - may be the equipment is safely stored inside!

How about sailing un bateau jolie - just choose your nation's flag - 

and then sail it on the water in front of the Palais du Luxembourg?

Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the French baroque architect, was the person most responsible for popularising the mansard roof seen all across France. A mansard roof has steep sides often with a double pitch, and many have extraordinary dormer windows

Last year whilst visiting Paris I showed you the area where my son lives. It is an area by the River Seine which was not only beloved of the Impressionists but 

musicians too - one of which was Bizet

His home in Bourgival looking out across the Seine

Bizet had a brilliant student career at the Conservatoire de Paris but he died prematurely at the age of 37 years. For most of his life he suffered from recurrent throat complaints possibly aggravated by smoking.  Whilst completing Carmen he suffered attacks of what he called 'throat angina' and became depressed by the evident failure of Carmen. He decided to take a rest at his home in Bougival, and feeling a little better took a swim in the Seine. The following day he was afflicted by a high fever and pain which was followed by a heart attack. He seemed temporarily to recover, but three days later on his wedding anniversary, he suffered a second fatal attack

  

  

What about this life size, stylish, colourful snail? We had a very brief splash of rain during our time in Paris and at least 20 of these monsters crawled out from under our son's garden hedge. They are unlike snails seen in the UK - I think perhaps they have a little more 'je ne sais quoi' about them than ours!

What I enjoy about Paris is its timelessness

I like the fact that it is still the same Paris I discovered on my first visit as a teenager - my gilded memories remain intact

Unlike so many other cities, London included, 20th/21st century architecture is largely absent from the centre of Paris, apart from Pyramide du Louvre and Centre Pompidou 

Much of the modern glass and steel architecture, some of which is exciting and adventurous, is sited on the periphery of Paris at La Défense.

Taken on a hill in Saint.Germain-en-Laye 8 miles away from La Défense - Paris is hidden away on the far side

Finally the pound is strong against the euro - these little delights would have cost almost £1.50 last summer - this year they were the equivalent of just over £1, but I resisted