€24m masterpiece must stay in France

A 13th CENTURY masterpiece – Florentine artist Cimabue’s Mocking of Christ – must stay in France after US buyers paid €24.1million for it.

Connexion journalist Connexion journalist

Published Wednesday 29 January 2020 - 15:00 Modified Wednesday 29 January 2020 - 15:00

The 25.8cm by 20.3cm work heralds the start of the Italian renaissance and was found hanging in a modest home in Compiègne, Oise.

The culture minister refused an export licence and has 30 months to fund a purchase.

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

art auction painting culture heritage french news

Man arranges bottled water at a distribution point in Montsalvy during France’s 2022 drought.

40,000 people in France see water cut off: what to do if it happens to you

Plus, worst-hit areas and authorities step up enforcement as water shortages increase

‘I was ready to leave America’: this couple chose Southern France and early retirement over corporate life

While the family is one of the many American households choosing to relocate to France, their story looks different from what one might expect.

Heat brings early Bordeaux wine harvest — but not the earliest on record

Vineyards hopeful wildfire smoke will not affect taste of product

Middle-aged man holding a mobile looking stressed with hand over his head

New cold-calling laws in France: what if I have a foreign number?

Scam calls can dodge laws

Briton launches campaign for free car ashtrays to help prevent forest fires in France

‘Let's not let a fire start in the first place’

Tuberculosis case in France prompts contact screening

Two others have since been found to have a less contagious form of the disease

Tips to help reduce French mobile roaming fees when abroad

Risk of high costs during ferry trips highlighted

How does France’s new ‘right to repair’ rule cover your purchases?

Certain electrical goods benefit from 10-year additional protection

French mayor issues bylaw banning barking dogs at night

Heatwave and open windows made incessant barking ‘unbearable’, with owners at risk of €135 fine

Volvic moves to 100% recycled water bottles in France

Popular bottled water brand previously faced criticism for ‘fully recycled’ bottle claims

Meet the Aude producer behind artisan balsamic vinegar Granhota

Laurent Faure also produces flavoured vinegars at Granhota in Coursan. Visitors can tour the vinaigrerie, taste the products and buy direct

Easy crossword August 12, 2026: French cheeses and cheese vocabulary

Test your knowledge of cheeses - and share how long it to you to complete and any comments with us via feedback@connexionfrance.com

Heatwave pushes up fruit and vegetable prices across France

From smaller apples to ruined vegetables, growers are struggling as the heat takes its toll on production

Curious about France’s growing reputation as a startup hub? Here is what Americans need to know

Paris briefly overtook London as Europe’s top startup hub in 2025

British family who repeatedly defrauded motorway tolls handed €3,000 bill

The family had been avoiding the toll for some six months by lifting the barrier

How many high-vis vests are you required to keep in your car in France?

Confusion remains over the road rules for yellow jackets

Woman using an automated EES Entry/Exit System kiosk with a touchscreen.

Could the EU 'pause' full EES rollout in September?

Rules allowing airports to suspend certain checks may be extended past next month’s deadline, according to UK press reports

Could François Hollande make a comeback in France’s 2027 presidential election?

Former Socialist president can act as unifying ‘soft-left’ candidate… but would have a mountain to climb

Why planchas are becoming France’s favourite outdoor cooking choice

Fast, smoke-free outdoor cooking: we reveal the best foods, marinades and buying tips for grilling

Why veterinary fees are so much cheaper in France

Animal Health Certificates make travel more expensive

a French residence permit or brexit withdrawal card inset against Lyon departmental prefecture

Brexit residency card renewals - and delays - intensify in France

Backlogs grow at prefectures - with six-month waits reported

Eurostar rival orders 19 new trains, confirms London-Paris route to open in 2029

Trenitalia expected to be the first operator to offer alternative Channel Tunnel service

Gas prices to rise (again) for millions in France this September

France’s energy regulator will increase its benchmark price by 5.6%

Close-up of a France Schengen visa sticker in a passport.

Ups and downs of visa applications in France

Readers share their experiences and advice