My first glimpse of this years Christmas arrived with the lighting of the Champs Elysée. Before the cold wrapped itself around Paris, icicles were dangling from the avenue’s trees melting in strings of blue light.



Spectators gather on Bouvard Haussmann to gaze in vitrines at gossamer gowns in creams, pinks and glimmers, buy cone fulls of roasted chestnuts, be entertained by animated owls and crocheted cupcakes and finish Christmas shopping amongst the hoards of like-minded procrastinators.



These are the sights walking about Paris breathing dragon smoke on this winter's night.