One of the many great things about Paris in December is the color blue. Whether it's the Champs Elysées, Boulevard Saint-Germain, the main street on the Île St. Louis (left) or dozens of other streets wide and narrow, the predominant color of the holiday lighting is blue. I have no idea why that is, but it's refreshing and seems to be in keeping with the Parisians' generally low-key and tasteful approach to the holiday season. Maybe other countries (ahem) could take note.