You can also call them balconnets (which means little balconies). We have one for our apartment and use it to grow a little urban garden (and some geraniums).

Does anyone know who makes the pendant light fixtures in the very first picture? thanks

I live in France too, and these sinks are pretty common fixtures in the W.C. (water closet or toilet room). They are called lave mains, meaning "hand washer". It is true that they usually only have...