Another Corking Discovery

Another Corking Discovery, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

OK. I admit that you couldn't get a much grottier pic of this Paris curiosity than this one, but that's what the conditions allowed, and if you saw the original you'd appreciate my problem. (Rain, gloom, elevation, shivering and iPhone didn't help matters I'm afraid, but enough excuses!)

So, what are we beholding, you may be wondering? No less than one of the city's last remaining 'enseignes', ladies and gents. The words 'L'Arbre à Liège' (The Cork Tree) are written among the roots.

It's a rare shop sign from the middle ages signalling the presence of a cork merchant. It seems to be ceramic and is to be found in the wonderfully named rue Tiquetonne, in the 2nd arrondissement.

The old Philippe Auguste city wall passed right by there, and it's just a stone's throw from the medieval 'Tour Jean Sans Peur' which is well worth checking out if you're a history buff. I'm starting to be, and you're welcome to tag along - the more the merrier!

(A Paris iPhone street photograph by Sab Will for the 'Paris and I' photo blog @ paris-and-i.parissetmefree.com )