Paris is the most romanticised city in the world, although not so much by people in the rest of France who generally hold a dim view of Parisiennes.

It does have beautiful buildings and good food (then so do most places in France) but even in March it is bulging with tourists; legions of British, Americans, Eastern Europeans and young Asian women wearing French berets seemingly without embarrassment.

It’s a wonderful city to walk and observe, although it’s wise to look out for dog doo and also for motorbikes and speeding Segways on the pavement and great clouds of smoke from people vaping.

But all the people I’ve come into contact with have been lovely. For some odd reason, my French often seems to elicit a bemused smile and people sometimes add a little helpful correction here and there – very sweet.