€2m gem thieves say sorry for the mess

Thieves who grabbed €2million of diamonds from a Paris dealer left a note to apologise.

Connexion journalist

Published Wednesday 21 June 2017 - 15:00 Modified Wednesday 21 June 2017 - 15:00

They had broken into the diamond dealer’s office near the Pompidou Centre from a neighbouring property. Their message, inspired by Albert Spaggiari’s 1976 raid on Nice branch of Société Générale said ‘No weapons, no violence. Sorry for the inconvenience’.

theft french news

New parking fees on 'large' cars now in force in Bordeaux

Residents and visitors will have to pay extra to park SUVs in the city

French history heroine: the bearded businesswoman of Vosges

Historian Dr Julia Faiers discovers the remarkable story of Clémentine Delait - a trail-blazing woman who refused to conform

Most-stolen dog breeds in France – and how to protect your pet

Thieves target dogs seen as cute, high-status, or with the potential to be aggressive

How French doctor sectors impact what patients pay

GPs and other specialists are grouped into three sectors that determine how much they can charge and how much patients are reimbursed

Fatal HGV crashes: Goodyear in court in France over tyre defect claims

Investigators allege the firm knew about the problem but did not issue a recall

What is an eSIM and is it useful for people travelling to France?

An eSIM can be linked to a mobile phone contract to provide access to overseas networks

How to prepare your pool for the summer season in France

You must 'wake up' your pool and treat the water before taking a dip

Health alert as giant African ticks spread northwards in France

Potentially deadly ticks, known for their heat-sensing 'stalking', are spreading beyond the Mediterranean

Paris announces date for river Seine to open for swimmers

Three natural swimming pools will open this summer along the river

From light sabres to hobby horses: five unusual sports in France

Embrace new and creative ways to keep fit

More than a million people to receive €44 payout from French mutuelle

Major insurer offers payout after bumper year

Many Occitanie residents to receive test alerts on their phone this weekend

Trials of the FR-Alert system have already taken place elsewhere

How quickly do homes near you go under offer in France?

68 days in Paris, 86 in Bordeaux: the average time is falling across much of the country

Referendums, immigration, budget, war: key points of President Macron’s interview

President also discussed giving more power to local police and EU use of nuclear arsenal

Why 10 million tiger mosquitoes are being deliberately released in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

The potentially dangerous insects are now in every region of the country

Letters: Our French neighbours seem too distant

Connexion reader explains that despite going to lengths to get to know their new neighbours, most do not return the effort

What is an assurance vie and how does it work in France?

This popular French financial tool can help reduce inheritance tax

Do French language test exemptions for over 65s apply to all residency cards?

There has been much confusion over the incoming rules

Speed cameras: What happens if a driver is flashed in a vehicle with non-French number plates?

France is part of EU agreement to share driving fines with other countries – but UK is not included

Does French holiday property become a ‘main home’ after selling up elsewhere?

Whether or not a French home is your ‘main’ one depends on factors including tax residency

Earthquake recorded in south-east France

Noise and vibration wakes Vaucluse residents after magnitude 3 quake hits near Avignon

How to check if fibre internet is available where you live in France

Detailed, interactive maps can help you see how the new rollout is progressing near you

French income declaration: New tax credit requirement postponed

Additional information regarding domestic workers will be required from next year

Learning French: nouns that even native speakers commonly misgender

‘The struggle is real’, says our French writer Théophile Larcher - see if you can score higher than him in our mini quiz

€2m gem thieves say sorry for the mess

Thieves who grabbed €2million of diamonds from a Paris dealer left a note to apologise.

Photos: Louis XIII-style château near Paris up for auction

Should France reduce the size of its baguettes to stop waste?

Fatal HGV crashes: Goodyear in court in France over tyre defect claims

New parking fees on 'large' cars now in force in Bordeaux

French history heroine: the bearded businesswoman of Vosges

Photos: Louis XIII-style château near Paris up for auction

Do you know the official name of people who come from your area of France?

Should France reduce the size of its baguettes to stop waste?

Most-stolen dog breeds in France – and how to protect your pet

How French doctor sectors impact what patients pay

Fatal HGV crashes: Goodyear in court in France over tyre defect claims

What is an eSIM and is it useful for people travelling to France?

How to prepare your pool for the summer season in France

Health alert as giant African ticks spread northwards in France

Paris announces date for river Seine to open for swimmers

From light sabres to hobby horses: five unusual sports in France

More than a million people to receive €44 payout from French mutuelle

French iPhone users bring group action against Apple for ‘spying on them via Siri’

More French communes ending home bin collections

Badly maintained roads in France - can you get compensation if your car is damaged?

Many Occitanie residents to receive test alerts on their phone this weekend

How quickly do homes near you go under offer in France?

Referendums, immigration, budget, war: key points of President Macron’s interview

Why 10 million tiger mosquitoes are being deliberately released in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Letters: Our French neighbours seem too distant

How do driving penalties work for foreign licence holders in France?

French language tests: ‘B1 and B2 are marked very differently - as my 5/25 shows’

France updates Nutri-Score food label - but EU stalls on adopting it

What is an assurance vie and how does it work in France?

Do French language test exemptions for over 65s apply to all residency cards?

Speed cameras: What happens if a driver is flashed in a vehicle with non-French number plates?

Does French holiday property become a ‘main home’ after selling up elsewhere?

Earthquake recorded in south-east France

How to check if fibre internet is available where you live in France

French income declaration: New tax credit requirement postponed

Learning French: nouns that even native speakers commonly misgender