My last year of high school we went to Paris and Rome. The trip was put on by the Latin Club, of which there were perhaps three members - so French class kids were invited as well. A long flight; a drizzly bus ride from the airport, looking at the grey city through smeared windows; the Metro to this hotel.

A small cigaretty Frenchman greeted us and did everything to make us feel welcome but bring our bags up to the room; that was our job. Up in a creaky cage elevator, the first authentic European experience of the trip. I threw open the window in my room and saw Sacre Coeur.

I was in Paris.

Now let us enjoy the interior design of a small hotel in the City Of Light, c. 1976.