midday
Many miles of fine boulevards were built under Napoleon III . Most from the Madeleine to the July Column are flanked with massive limestone buildings , palatial mansions , and glittering shops , the architecture of which is often uniform , and balconies are frequently built with each story . Early every morning the asphalt and other pavements are washed . At midday a busy throng crowds all the main streets . Parisians favor residence in flats , and they enjoy immensely their outdoor methods of living . At sundown the wide walks in front of brilliant cafés are crowded with well dressed men and women , who seek rest and refreshment in sipping coffee , wine , or absynthe , scanning the papers for bits of social or political news , and discussing the latest fad or sensation of the day . The English hurry but the French rarely .