Often these sorts of trips are flying visits but on this occasion we had lots of time to explore so I spent two days wandering the streets of Paris with the RLPO's head of press Jayne Garrity and Liverpool photographer Mark McNulty who took these stunning photos of the orchestra in rehearsal.

Here are a few of the things we saw...

I was really sad to read about the fire at the 200-year-old Elysee Theatre in Montmartre, said to be the birthplace of the can-can. We stumbled upon it on our way up to Sacre Coeur - it looks blackened and forelorn.

One of the things that has stayed with me about last year's Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy is the relationship between the artist and his art dealer brother, who supported him financially and emotionally for many years. Here's the building in Montmartre where Vincent stayed with Theo from 1836-1838.

Good to see that Liverpool's influence on Paris is not limited to Beatles posters on every bouquiniste stall on the banks of the Seine. Here's a poster for Ken Loach's new film Route Irish, largely filmed in our fine city.

Finally, a bookshop in the Marais where you can sip a glass of wine while perusing the shelves - a perfect combination. Wouldn't look out of place on Lark Lane if someone fancies opening one...