Bordeaux is fragrant

When I first visited Paris I was struck by the smells of the city. The Trocadero was obviously a sheltered place with many corners where one could fulfil the necessities of life unseen - but not unsmelt.  The Champs de Mars at the base of the Eiffel Tower had recently been treated to a generous layer of manure. I first visited Paris on a hot July day and walked from the Arc de Triumph to the Gare Montparnasse. Unforgettable.

In Bordeaux we're often struck by the fragrances of its streets. Of course, we too have secluded corners best avoided by the sensitive of snitch, but the city has also been encouraging people to dig little holes in the pavement - honestly, I think they come and dig them for you - and to plant hollyhocks, or honeysuckle, or -- best of all -- jasmine. So this time of year instead of pungent we get fragrant.

We got off the tram at about 10 last night and were ht by another sweet fragrance at Quinconces where the tram lines cross. Lime trees. Planted just between the tracks for line B and lines C and D, there's a canopy of lime trees spreading their gentle perfume.