PRONIC 88

For those arriving in Paris the weekend before Pronic, what could almost be described as a holiday atmosphere prevailed. The visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales had left its mark in the proliferation of front‐page features of ‘Lady Di’ displayed on news stands. The Champs Elysées looked elegant and resplendent with a profusion of French tricolours marking the royal visit combined with commemoration of Armistice Day. Autumn sunshine—and green leaves still on the trees—brought throngs of Parisians onto the streets. At present the Arc de Triomphe is closed to the public for cleaning and restoration, but on 11 November there was the unique opportunity, taken by lengthy queues of people, to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and view the floral wreaths laid there during the commemorative ceremony.