The planting is a miracle of beauty: next time anyone feels low we shall simply recommend that they hop on Eurostar and spend the day in the Luxembourg Gardens. And what a wonderful thing that Persephone books can now be bought at The Red Wheelbarrow! It’s at 9 rue de Medicis, just outside the north-east corner. Of course food in restaurants is always disappointing, especially compared with the perfect food in traiteurs, boulangeries and markets – interesting that no one has picnics in the jardins (perhaps it’s literally forbidden? But how sensible).