Paris has just witnessed an odd demonstration. The life models who pose at the city's beaux arts schools went on strike

despite freezing temperatures, demonstrated nude outside the municipal culture department

The 15 models, supported by teachers and trade union officials, were protesting against the end of the tradition of le cornet -- a rolled up paper in which generations of students have left a tip after their session

They are also demanding official recognition of a craft which they say is central to European art, with its devotion to the human form.

The city banned the tips because students were complaining and because it's against French law to tip public servants, which is what the models technically are

Christophe Girard, Deputy-Mayor in charge of culture, was sympathetic to the demonstrators

He posed for pocket money when he was an art student in Angers.