In France, only the State can legally wed two individuals, so before heading to the church, mosque, synagogue, or simply the wedding reception, every French citizen must first attend the legal ceremony at their local Mairie, or Town Hall.

Some days there are several wedding ceremonies in a row, with the accompanying confetti thrown in celebration as the happy couples exit their mairie. Tissue hearts, rose petals, glittering confetti…by the end of the week the wind has blown them into the garden in front of this mairie in the 13th arrondissement.

I’m not sure if this is great for the environment, but it’s certainly prettier than the usual sprinkling of cigarette butts, used metro tickets and other pedestrian debris.

Add Comment