When I think of France I think of lots of things: baguettes, fresh croissants, berets, The Eiffel Tower, cheese, really fashionable and really good looking people with really sexy accents.
A lot of these are stereotypes but they’re also a pretty accurate reflection of French lifestyle.
There’s another stereotype, maybe the oldest of the lot, that I think of when I think of France: smoking. The french love a moody smoke; cigarette balanced between their fingers and a slight smirk on their face as they stare broodily into the distance.
It’s a habit which they’re known for worldwide. So much so that France is referred to as ‘Europe’s Chimney’.
But their beloved smoking has gone and hit ‘em where it hurts and I’m not talking about the lungs. According to the latest reports, a poorly stubbed-out cigarette may have caused the Notre Dame fire earlier this year.
There’s nothing funny about the iconic cathedral going up in flames but I really want to laugh at this information because it’s the most ironic thing I’ve ever heard.
Reports also suggest an electrical fault may be responsible for the destruction of Notre Dame but I prefer the cigarette theory- it’s much more poetic.
I can see exactly how it happened too:
A beret-wearing French mime was taking a stroll next to Notre Dame, cigarette in hand, wheel of cheese in the other arm and nose slightly turned up at the world. He trips on a stray baguette and his cigarette goes flying, hitting the iconic cathedral. He shrugs and saunters away oblivious as the church erupts in flames behind him.
