There was the very Parisian sight on leaving the hotel in the rue de Malte on our first morning in France. A man exited the building across the street and relieved himself au français by the front door.
This was perhaps considered acceptable behaviour a couple of centuries ago. It’s illegal now. Pissing perps can be fined hundred of Euros… if they’re caught. This explains the furtive look both ways for police as the guys sidle to the sides of buildings. That they continue to do it explains the smell of Paris in August or after any warm spell without rain for several days.
That this particular law-breaker was dressed in traditional Hassidic get-up, with high-crowned hat, black coat and side-curls, and the door next to which he was faire pisser was the entrance to a store-front synagogue added local colour.
