French Friday: Point Zéro

January 6, 2017 (006/366)

« Je reviens » - Napoleon | "I'll be back!" - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terminator

This year, I am reinstating my French Friday series of images and cultural anecdotes. When I return from my trip to Paris next month, I should easily have enough photos to feature every week for the rest of the year. In the meantime, on this first Friday, I will start my journey at the beginning -- at the point from which all distances in France are measured -- not square one, but Point Zéro. On the Ile de la Cité, in the courtyard of Notre Dame Cathedral, you will likely notice tourists searching for this very spot and waiting their turn to perch upon it while taking the requisite selfie. Some people spin on one foot while making a wish, others kiss while balancing on it together, yet most people simply stand upon it to "ensure" that one day they will return to Paris. Call it superstitious, but I do it every time ...and I'll be back on this spot in 49 days!