Fines sent... 20 years on

Regional newspaper Le Dauphiné reported that people in towns including Aix-les-Bains, La Ravoire and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne were shocked to received fine notices dating back to 1997, when France was still using the franc.

Rates for late payment also included €76 for a parking fine. Some people said they had even had the fines deducted from their bank accounts.
According to the law, punishments for minor offences (contraventions) can only be enfor­ced for up to three years after the offence.