Dans La Nuit, Des Images?

Dans La Nuit, Des Images, Grand Palais, Paris, originally uploaded by Gordon Gerard McLean.

On the 30th of December I was walking past the Grand Palais in Paris and noticed this. The outside of the palace was shimmering with projected, moving text.

Inside I found what was billed by the French Ministry of Culture as "a selection of iconic works using light projection – photographs, films, videos, digital imagery and interactive installations from plasma screens to giant projections – will document the technological innovations that have become part of artistic creation over the past ten years."

The hall was filled with hundreds of people: families, lovers, art students, civil servants, infants; all gazing in amazement at this wonderful digital spectacle.

The Colonne de Vendome?

Place Vendome, Paris, originally uploaded by Gordon Gerard McLean.

Napoleon erected the Colonne De Vendome, modelled after Trajan's Column, to celebrate his victory at Austerlitz; its veneer of 425 spiraling bas-relief bronze plates were made out of cannon taken from the combined armies of Europe, according to his propaganda.

Tonnage and prefectoral decisions at Paris Charles De Gaulle?

Paris Charles De Gaulle, Paris, originally uploaded by Gordon Gerard McLean.

In 2007, Charles de Gaulle Airport was number one in terms of aircraft movements in Europe with 552,721 landings and take-offs, above Frankfurt and Madrid.

In terms of cargo traffic, Charles de Gaulle Airport is also number one in Europe with 2,297,896 tonnes, just above Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Heathrow.

In terms of passenger traffic, Charles de Gaulle Airport ranked second in Europe with 59,919,383 passengers, behind London's Heathrow Airport and above Frankfurt and Madrid.

If these numbers are arresting, this one is even more so.

On 7 November 2005 prefectoral decision 05-4979 was issued, relating specifically to Charles de Gaulle airport. The law prohibits photographs being taken for private use of either aircraft or buildings. Oops.

Moulins, Côtes du Rhône & Unisex Toilets?

Cafe Des Deux Moulins, Paris, originally uploaded by Gordon Gerard McLean.

In the film, Amélie, the protagonist worked as a waitress at the Café des Deux Moulins on Rue Lepic on Montmartre. The musty atmosphere, with its 1950s decor, mustard-colored ceiling, and lace curtains, has been preserved, right down to the unisex toilet.

The menu remains much the same as it always was; escalopes of veal in a cream sauce, beef filets, calf's liver, green frisée salad with bacon bits and warm goat cheese, and pigs' brains with lentils. The kitchen serves hamburgers, but with an egg on top and the classic dish is a demi-Camembert with a glass of Côtes du Rhône.

Executive domesticity in Paris?

Perigot, Paris, originally uploaded by Gordon Gerard McLean.

The PERIGOT brand was created in 1995 and is today the leader of the French hardware store design concept. Focusing on a defined visual identity, Frederic Perigot redesigns household utensils according to their functions. These utilitarian objects find their place in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as being useful for travel and for pleasure. Every product identified with the PERIGOT trademark is based on an aesthetic ideal, both practical and affordable. This sign was outside the entrance of PERIGOT's store... in the basement of the Louvre.

Antique stores and suicides?

Galerie Vero Dodat, Paris, originally uploaded by Gordon Gerard McLean.

Galerie Véro-Dodat was built in 1826. At what is now the Café de l'Epoque, the French writer Gérard de Nerval took his last drink before heading to Châtelet to hang himself. The gallery has painted ceilings and copper pillars and shops selling old-fashioned toys, contemporary art, and leather goods. It's best known, though, for its antiques stores.

Bicycle friendliness in Amsterdam?

Bicycles, Amsterdam, originally uploaded by Gordon Gerard McLean.

Known as the "bicycle capital of Europe", Amsterdam is known as one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the world. According to Wikipedia, there are about 700,000 bikes in Amsterdam, almost one bike per inhabitant, with around 50,000 bikes stolen per year.