#2 Bridges, bridges & more bridges

Whether you're taking a stroll through the centre of Paris or taking a boat ride up the Seine, you can't help but notice how many bridges this city has. There is a mix between old and new, big and small, and some are decorated with intricate carvings and designs.

There is also the tradition of securing a padlock to the side railings of one of the many bridges and inscribing the padlock with your name and the name of your partner/lover/friend. Then the keys to the padlock are thrown into the river to symbolise an unbreakable bond.

Here's a tip... if you're visiting Paris and would like the obligatory photo of yourself with the Eiffel Tower in the background, head to the Passerelle Debilly footbridge. It's just a short walk away from the Iron Lady, provides a great vantage point and doesn't have the crowds that flock to the Trocadero area.

#1 Oh boulangerie, boulangerie!

Boulangerie is the French work for bakery. While sometimes it seems like there's one on every corner, the trick is finding the really good ones! Yes, I'll admit that my frequent visits to my local boulangerie is usually to satisfy a grumbling stomach, but it also presents many an opportunity to practise my French and learn new words. It's easy to spot the croissants, eclairs and baguettes, however before I moved to France I had no idea what was in a chouquette or a jesuite... and now I do! All in the name of research, of course! ;)

On a side note, the French government subsidises bread here which means it's relatively cheap to buy. (We have the French Revolution to thank for that!) Not bad if you're on a budget!

... Just a shame the pastries and cakes aren't subsidised too. Oh well...

12 Days of Christmas / 12 Joys of Paris...

In the spirit of the festive season I thought I would share with you some more highlights of the great city of Paris. One for each of the 'Twelve Days of Christmas'... I hope you enjoy what's to follow.

Hello, sailor!

In early December Paris plays host to perhaps the biggest nautical exhibition in the country. Hundreds of thousands of boating enthusiasts converge on Porte de Versailles in the south to catch up on the latest and greatest in all things boats, including motor and sail boats, small craft, technology and gadgets. This is big business in France, especially when you consider how much coastline the country has compared to the rest of Europe!

Having spent most of my life growing up in droughts in Australia, I don't really know that much about boats. But after checking out what was on offer I was highly impressed and imagined setting sail on the Mediterranean aboard one of these... well, after I've won the lotto!

Parking in Paris...

Oi, you with the dirty mind! No, not that kind of parking! I mean parking... the actual manoeuvring of a car into a designated space. Just like any big city, Paris has its fair share of cars. And, just like any big city, there aren't enough car parks to go 'round.

Living in Paris has meant I've once again had to get used to not having a car. It's not so bad and the metro is pretty darn zippy for getting from A to B. When I see cars parked in Parisian streets it often fills me with a huge sense of relief that I don't have to navigate reverse parallel parking and here's one of the reasons why:

Most of the time the cars only have a couple of inches between them. I have no idea how they ever get out! To those who can manage this feat, I tip my hat beret to you in admiration...

Seeing cars parked so close together reminds me of this classic scene from Friends. You can watch it here. Enjoy! :)

Moving house in the big city

Ok, so maybe I've been living under a rock when it comes to modern day equipment that is used to help people move houses, particularly in the city. Clearly I've never been someone who has lived in a tall building with many floors... judging from past experience I'm usually more of a ground level or first floor kinda gal.

Quite a few times I've turned a corner in Paris and bumped into removalists helping people shift houses. But these guys don't just lug big, heavy furniture and boxes in through the front door and try and navigate the too-small elevators or stairways of Parisian buildings... no, they use equipment like in the pictures below. I'm sure there's some special name for it, but in my words it's: a-sort-of-electric-ladder-that-acts-like-a-conveyor-belt-but-in-the-upwards-direction. Such a nifty idea for getting to those tops floors! Then all you need is a large open window 'et voila'... all your belongings are inside!

... Hopefully I'm not the only one who has never seen this before! I still marvel at the ingenuity behind it! ;)

Milo / Malo kids

I recently came across this billboard advertisement in the Paris metro. The brand Malo has apparently been making dairy products in France for over 60 years. The words in the ad roughly translate to: Lou, 10 years, boxing champion and fan of Malo...

It reminded me a lot of my childhood in Australia, particularly the ads for the beloved after-school drink Milo (a staple ingredient in most households) and, as they used to say, the energy drink of champions!