Paris Quirks

There is much to offend Australian sensibilities in Paris. For example, there are few road signs (such as parking restrictions (it is common in North Sydney or Mosman to see up to 6 different parking restrictions on a single pole). Parisian drivers park almost anywhere they can. In our neighbourhood there is a small intersection (Rue de Buci and Rue de Seine) yet a Smart car driver saw no problem in parking the car right in the middle of the intersection and other drivers negotiated around it without fuss.
I don't think I have seen a sign indicating the maximum permissible speed which probably explains why some cars seem to travel at walking pace whilst others go for warp speed. However it probably means there is a single speed limit for all streets which makes a lot more sense that the 4 trillion different speed signs in Sydney.
With parking being at a premium it is amusing to see cars "nudge" other cars in order to make enough room (see photo). At a Renault car show room in the Latin Quarter I thought to suggest that they should supply new cars with the bumpers already scratched so the new owner does not have to experience the first one personally.
Below is a typical example of the front and back space for a near-new parked car.

As you can see from these four cars double parked (and the single one above) it seems if you set off your indicators as a "warning" then it's ok to park anywhere:










There is a website www.paris.fr that has some useful information. For example, the city of Paris provides free wifi in 250 locations (the wifi station has the name "Orange"). As readers of my blog know I have not been able to get a data plan connected to my SFR pre-paid SIM so like anyone else in this situation free wifi hot spots become addictive.