Decorative Balconies--Paris

Riding a bus in Paris I try to sit or stand at a window, and sometimes I'm rewarded by a good shot (a big favorite is this). Today we were on our way to a concert, and I managed this on the Rue de Tolbiac in Paris 13e.

I don't recall having seen more elaborate balconies in Paris (though there must be some). They are of cast iron, and are ubiquitous in the city.

A further note on Europe's cold wave: Last night's rugby match between France and Ireland in Paris was postponed literally at the last minute (seven minutes to 8 pm) due to the frozen field, sending the assembled spectators home. In the bigger picture this was minor, but it still is indicative of how serious the cold has become--for example, the French island of Corsica (in the Mediterranean) has been paralyzed by heavy snow.