Dangerous

France promises stricter measures on illegal urban motorbike racing

Several people have been seriously injured or killed recently by motorbike and quad bike riders practising dangerous tricks on public roads

Toxic mushroom linked to high rates of nerve disease in south France

Researchers have found that the ‘false morel’ is linked to diagnoses of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in Savoie at more than 20 times higher than the national average

Electric scooters temporarily banned from Champs-Elysées

The ban will last until July 31, and is ‘due to an increase in inappropriate behaviour’, the police said, days after the Paris mairie reduced the capital’s speed limit to 30kph

France alert to beach green algae after sudden death

The danger of toxic green sea algae naturally found on the Breton coast has come into renewed question after an 18-year-old oyster farmer died suddenly on a beach.

France warned on 30% rise in accidental drownings

The number of accidental drownings in France rose by 30% in the summer of 2018, health agency Santé Publique France (SPF) has warned.

Shortages of medicines putting patients at risk

Medecine shortages have increased ten-fold in the last decade, creating major risks for patients – including cancer and Parkinson’s sufferers.

French MP campaigns against till receipts

An MP has launched an environmental campaign to ban the routine printing of till receipts in shops.

Processionary caterpillars spotted in France already

Dangerous pine processionary caterpillars (known in French as chenilles processionnaires ) have begun to be seen in France already this year, due to warm weather over the past weeks.

French Alps rescue pilot praised for skilful landing

Videos have emerged of a French rescue helicopter flying centimetres away from a mountainside to rescue an injured skier in the French Alps, with the pilot being widely celebrated for the skill involved.

Loss of rural GP ‘puts lives at risk’

A Dordogne resident has lodged a complaint against the local prefect after his 94-year-old mother’s doctor retired and has not been replaced.

France infested with Asian stink bug insects

France is being infested by so-called “devil stink bugs” that originate from Asia, with sightings of them growing in number since September this year.

Urgent action needed on 800 at-risk bridges in France

Ministers have admitted that “half of France’s roads need resurfacing and nearly one in 10 bridges is in a bad state”.

Food app grows in France as herbicide debate reignited

Over five million French people have downloaded a free smartphone app that highlights pesticide levels in your food, as a US court case over the herbicide glyphosate reignites debate on the issue.

Stolen €1.3m cello mysteriously returned

A stolen €1.3million cello has been returned to a famous French cellist after she was mugged at knifepoint in a Paris suburb.

Hunter shot dead during wild boar hunt

A man has been shot dead during a wild boar hunt in the Var.

Thieves have snack while burgling Lyon ‘spread bar’

A Lyon café dedicated to sweet spreads was burgled this week, and the culprits managed to swipe some spreads and appeared to enjoy a quick taste before escaping.

Man arrested running on motorway to catch Lyon flight

Gendarmerie in Isère have arrested a British man who was found running alongside the A43 motorway in a bid to catch a flight to Lyon.

French mountaineer rescued as climb mate feared dead

The French mountaineer, Elisabeth Revol, has been rescued by emergency rope climbers and a helicopter in the Himalayas after the alarm was raised this weekend.

Haute-Garonne man saved from fire by pet dog

A man living alone in the Haute-Garonne (Occitanie) was saved from a house fire by his own dog, who managed to wake him after flames took hold overnight.

Thick white mousse washes up on Biarritz beaches

Huge waves of white mousse have washed up on the Biarritz coast, after the region was put on Météo France orange alert for coastline flooding this week.

Train passes through Alps crossing with ‘barriers up’

A train crossing over a main road in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence has sparked concern and shock after the train passed in front of cars while the crossing barriers were still up.

Storm Carmen to bring winds of 130km/h over New Year

Storm Carmen is to hit the west of France by Monday January 1 2018, bringing winds of up to 130 km/h, Météo France has confirmed.

‘Orange alert’ for snow and ice in north east France

Ten departments are on “orange alert” due to snow and ice warnings, according to Météo France this morning.

Toxic processionary caterpillars invade Eure-et-Loir

The department of Eure-et-Loir has seen an invasion of toxic caterpillars, with residents trying to ensure they do not come into their houses.

Health agency warns of carbon monoxide dangers

People have been warned by Santé Publique France to ensure heaters are working properly and not giving off fatal gas.

Heavy rain alert in northern France

Residents warned that a month’s worth of rain will fall tonight

EU fails again to agree way to ban hormone disruptors

HOPES of cutting the amount of chemicals in everyday use have received a blow after the European Parliament failed for the third time to agree a definition of endocrine disruptors present in pesticides, biocides and cosmetics.

Hornets are fatal and we need help