-
Chauvet cave in south of France is slowly revealing its secrets
3D technology is revolutionising our understanding of 36,000-year-old paintings in the Chauvet Cave in Ardèche
-
Why facts of British couple’s deaths in south of France are slow to emerge
The investigation highlights stark differences in procedures between France, UK and US
-
Map: Are there new Michelin star restaurants near you in France?
The new Michelin Guide France 2025 awarded 78 new stars to restaurants across the country
French chateau overrun by protected storks
A 13th century French chateau once owned by the family of William the Conqueror has been taken over by more than 170 storks, which a bird expert has said is a rare event in France.

The rundown Château de la Rivière de Saint-Fromond (Manche, Normandy), which was built in the 13th century by the family of William the Conqueror, now has almost 200 birds making it their home.
The property is surrounded by 30,000 hectares of marshes, which are inhabited by frogs, insects and rodents; perfect food sources for the storks.
Guillaume Hédouin, manager of the Contentin and Bessin natural park marshes, said: “Storks can eat rodents, they can also eat amphibians. They have very diverse food sources - if it moves, they will not hesitate to eat it. They are very greedy.”
Visitors to the ruins have more recently been coming to watch the storks, rather than appreciate the history of the building itself.
As well as its links to the Normans, the chateau was also taken over by the Germans in World War Two, who used it as a storehouse for their weapons, before destroying it when they had finished.
Storks are a protected species, meaning that it is illegal to hunt them. This behaviour - flocking together in a ruin - is not seen as common in France.
Ornithologist and birdwatcher Alain Chartier said: “In Spain, it is quite common to see storks in churches and on ruins, but in France, it is very rare.”
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France