Toilette Etiquette . . .

In response to a couple of tongue in cheek remarks I made a few posts down about the scarcity of public toilets in France, Peter of Peter's Paris kindly pointed out that there are some public toilets in Paris, and some rather well appointed ones at that. Specifically, he recommended the facilities which are in the shadow of La Madeleine, saying they may be some of the most beautiful public toilets in the world. Well, I'll hand it to him, I went to look today, and he may be right. One could say they are art-deco. However, I couldn't bring you many photos to substantiate these claims, because filming and photography are forbidden within the toilets proper, which are underground, and an in-your-face toilet-tending-lady makes it clear that no exceptions will be tolerated, even if she is unable to articulate the motivation behind the prohibition . . . The sign at the entrance to the stairs going down to the toilets could be photographed, with La Madeleine's imposing columns in the background . . .
.






















Part way down the stairs this mosaic named the builder of these WCs which date from 1905; the Porcher company, which remains today a well known manufacturer of toilets in France . . .
.





















Well, while heading back up the steps after enjoying the interior, I snapped one quick shot, and ran to avoid the guardian's wrath, but I'm afraid it just doesn't do it any justice. You can just see the edge of the red sign announcing that it is forbidden to photograph the toilets. If you have any ideas as to why it would be necessary to prohibit photographing in a public place like this, please let me know, I'm quite intrigued now . . . (next time I'll have to use a spy camera hidden in a flower on my lapel . . .)
.


















.
.