No backpack set.

It has long befuddled me that the greatest western European cities are so ignorant of the basic economic concept of supply-demand elasticity. Along with the airlines they seem unaware that there’s a choice between having ten tourists spending $1,000 each compared with one spending $10,000. While the revenue garnered is identical, the high cost version comes with immense benefits. Less pollution, less wear and tear on plant, equipment and infrastructure and, crucially, a state of affairs where the city is beautiful and approachable once more. And legroom is restored on the flying sardine cans passing as aircraft. There are no crowds and disease spread is far lower owing to healthy affluence and shortage of sources. And as for those comparing this elitism with that of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, I aver that the $10,000 spender has likely earned his way to this rich reward, one to which his poorer cousin is not at all entitled. First he has to earn it. Then he can enjoy it. Otherwise he can simply check National Geographic.

A recent NYT article grudgingly admits that an empty Paris is infinitely preferable to one crowded with masses of unwashed tourists, each determined to get a glimpse of the Mona Lisa through the crowds and protective glass.

Before immigrating to the United States in 1977 I made it a point of visiting this most beautiful of western cities and while it may not have been as empty as it is today, it was certainly very approachable and livable, as my images disclose:

On the Champs-Élysées.

The colors of France on the Métro.

Sunset in the Tuileries Gardens.

Wedding in Parc Monceau.

At the Holocaust Memorial.

The oldest profession.

All images on a Leica M3 with 35mm Summaron and 90mm Elmar (the chair) lenses, using Kodachrome and TriX films.