One of the things that I love about France is the selective adherence to the rules. As an Anglo-Saxon, I haven’t quite worked out which rules I need to follow and which I don’t, but this much is clear: not all rules are created equal.

Everyone interprets the tax regulations creatively. Red lights are merely advisory. Pedestrians crossing a crosswalk are regarded more as a challenge than a reason to stop. Entire books have been written about the way the Parisians interpret parking.

In a typically French way, the grass here is marked “Pelouse Interdite” — “Keep off the grass”. And as you can clearly see in the background, no one is taking a blind bit of notice.