Are Fr Men More Romantic?

After four months of living in Paris I've come to the conclusion French men are more romantic.
 

If more romantic means openly affectionate and demonstrative.

There seems to be a lot of it going around - displays of affection.

Do French men have 'attachment issues'?

Long term maybe they're like all the other mecs/guys out there.
 

But short term I would say not.
 

Hand holding starts early.

I'm basing my theories on what I see, but it seems French toddlers are out of their strollers much sooner and out and about earlier.

Parents slow down to walk at the child's pace.

Time is taken.
 

And there's lots of hand holding right off the bat.

 

Lots of tactile contact
 

Could this effect later relationships?

Why not?
 

I didn't pose this 'Doisneau Kiss' nor arrange the back lighting...

On the other hand, French dogs seem much less romantically involved with each other or physically attached.
 

Being an extraterrestrial in Paris can lead to odd conclusions.
 

What do you think PBers?

Your opinion requested.

Paris Pinks

Almost all these pics were shot today so maybe we can say Spring has sprung?

Waiting to cross the street at Metro La Muette in the 16th a bevy of 'ados'/adolescents 

Shot yesterday at the Victor et Hugo stand in Printemps department store..

You need greens to make your pinks stand out - pretty Muguets along rue des Archives in the Marais

Pinkie-coralie raw silk scarf in BHV. The guard is about to tackle me but gives up. Must be Spring Fever...

Giant PINK rose lollipop inside BHV.

Little French girls in pink ballerinas on the Champs-Élysées last week..

The same day 365 Dresses and I broke down and got ice cream cones at Haagen-Dazs (Mango Framboise). It was hot!

Today not so hot. People are still wearing coats. Leche-vitrine in action.

At chocolatier Mazet. Only in Paris do people try to walk through glass with such..intensity. Well that's what I think.

A beautiful Spring fraisier at Patisserie Pain de Sucre 14, rue Rambuteau.

Macaron earrings in all flavors at Le Paris Gourmands 15, rue des Archives.

Kwanzen cherry blossoms full-blown last week at Square Marie Trintignant 75004 You can find every garden and square in Paris (and Lyon) with CityGardens app (free).

BONNE WEEKEND PBers!

Murder in rue de Paradis

On Monday we both took photos of this doorway in the 11th.

Author Cara Black is in town to research and reconnoiter for her next book. I know Cara claims in interviews that she is NOT her main character PI Aimee Laduc but I'm not so sure. Hmmm...

They're both fearless, fierce and determined to get their killer or in Cara's case, the story.

Cara/Aimée doesn't miss a trick either. She spotted this bit of graffiti, 'amour' that I waltzed right by. The entry way above was once the stables for Marie Antoinettes horses.

If there's a sign announcing L'INTERDITE - PRIVEE - PERSONNE/ forbidden, private, no one allowed, Cara's on it like a cat on catnip.

I hung back hesitating...a scaredy cat.

One courtyard was filled with old workshops, some going back to the 17th century and certainly around during the 2nd world war. French craftsmanship has a way of turning up in Aimée Leduc mysteries. We always stopped for a look and a photo at any old workshops in passing. Paris' underbelly is Cara's turf not mine but it's great fun to follow along and discover new hidden places connected to the stories in her books.

We stopped for a coffee in a nondescript cafe.

Cara disguised herself in my new glasses (they look good on her) and my macaron bracelet.

Today I went looking for rue de Paradis in the book and explored the 10th arrondissement a bit. I stayed across from Brasserie Flo in this quiet passages des petites Ecuries mentioned in the book.

The book starts off in rue de Paradis and these china shops play a big role. Some are quite grand and carry Baccarat etc. This area is a mix of old world and Bobo. You'll find new Mexican and Corsican restos, the popular veggie Nanashi next to quite traditional china shops.

There's a Paris map of the quartier in the front of each of Cara's mysteries.

I wish they were more detailed and illustrated like this Gien china pattern I spotted in the Cristallerie boutique on rue de Paradis.

We parted ways at this doorway. Cara was entering another forbidden courtyard. I watched as her khaki trench coat and khaki converse drifted smaller and smaller into the vista.

The next day, like a sleepwalker, straight from the pool I went to Galeries Laffayette and bought myself a khaki scarf (12€), khaki straw hat (10€) and khaki T (Uniglo 9.90€).

You too can try pass yourself off as P.I. Aimée/Cara.

*And don't forget to read Murder in the rue de Paradis while your at it. You won't be able to put it down. These books are addictive. And no way can you skim or read back to front as I usually do.

You'll miss way too Paris secrets!

Paris Sketchbook Jason Brooks

It doesn't matter where you look, Paris is a visual feast.
 

Jason Brooks' Paris Sketchbook manages to capture so many aspects every which way in line and silhouette.
 

It's true. Bevies of beauties are everywhere.
 

The Metro is the perfect place to people watch.
 

Jason Brooks, a renown international fashion illustrator for Elle and Vogue, would fill endless sketchbooks while in Paris covering the couture shows.
 

Photo by Elliot Erwitt
His sketched umbrellas remind me of this fab photo.

Of course Paris' beloved Eiffel Tower shows up throughout the book along with travel tips.
 

In rain or shine (yesterday it was rain on the menu).
 

And bien sur Paris lovers.
 

Seen everywhere.
 

Paris is kiddie town as much as a lovers paradise.
 

The lineups of school children tearing off to museums or the Metro is well-captured by Brooks.
 

And Brooks' perfect pastries sketches are just as pretty as his fashion drawings and architecture. There isn't much Brooks can't draw. He gives you the feeling you're in Paris looking over his shoulder
 

Munch..munch...

Do take a look at Jason Brooks' Paris Sketchbook.

A perfect immersion for the Paris-obsessed.