Each country recognizes famous individuals. 

Greece and Rome had their statues. The Mediterranean region, along with museums around the world, testify to their prolific production. In fact, when I studied in Athens the fall and winter of 1970, I mailed my parents a Christmas gift which I knew that they would love, a bust of Plato. ( or maybe Aristotle). It never arrived.

The French have upped the game. The French exquisitely create wonderful public art, over and over again. While I’m probably exaggerating, I see statue after statue every few blocks in the major cities. I’ve included a few photos.

They also make street names suitable for a crossword puzzle. Whereas Americans routinely have First, Second, and Third, and Oak, Walnut, Pine, Maple as old reliable street names, the French are definitely more desirous to honor their sons and daughters. Of course, we honor Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and others, but the French really, really honor all types of French citizens or “adopted” individuals who should be honored, whether born in France or not. See how many you recognize.

To conclude, I’v posted some unedited photos of a couple of individuals on, or near, the street. Enjoy!

Street after street with French citizens.

Street names for famous events.

To come full circle, only in France would a Rest Room have this particular symbol.