T is for Trompe L'Oeil: dodging taxes in Valbonne

Walking the sun drenched streets of Valbonne.

We were hiding from the heat at one of the many bars in Valbonne when I started to read the brochure  from the Tourist Information Office. End of leisurely expresso and beer and I was off chasing down the shutters in Trompe L'Oeil with a bemused Fred ready to take the photos.

The brochure tells the story that this 'pictorial technique replaces the real window condemned to avoid the payment of the tax on doors and windows.' Man's ingenuity, it certainly made my afternoon.

Spot the Trompe L'Oeil shutters of Valbonne.