A succession of bad news has hit France this summer: a spectacular robbery of the crown jewels at the Louvre;  a former French president is sent to prison. The National Assembly is struggling to vote a budget. In the process four prime ministers  have been overthrown

And yet Paris appeared more vibrant than ever to the tens of millions of visitors lining up to visit Notre Dame or some blockbuster art exhibits at the Orsay museum or the Orangerie in the Tuileries gardens.