The man our road is named after has just had 12 of his creations named as world heritage sites by Unesco. Vauban built a series of fortifications for Louis XIV in the 17th century, all around France, at places such as Briançon, Besançon and Arras. Several along the Channel and Atlantic coasts were intended as defences against the English. Won't stop us living here though...
On another cultural front, Lyon is revving up for its attempt to become the European city of culture for 2013. During an otherwise quiet weekend, we went to the cinema on Saturday, had dinner afterwards (French cuisine being another aspect of their culture that the French are trying to get named as part of world heritage, with Lyon put forward as the prime example), and then strolled home through the park, stumbling on an open air concert which was part of the effort to promote Lyon and its cultural heritage.
Meanwhile the French president continues his efforts to destroy that other French cultural tradition, striking. He caused a minor furore a couple of days ago, quipping during a self-congratulatory speech to UMP party loyalists about his attempts to remould French society, that "nobody notices now when there's a strike in France." Somewhat stretching the truth, I feel...
