French village’s surprise €4.5m

A villager left €4.5million as a surprise gift to her commune – four times its annual budget – in her will.

Connexion journalist

Published Monday 04 March 2019 - 15:15 Modified Monday 04 March 2019 - 15:15

Mayor Bernard Gilot announced that the legacy from Simone Daignas, 94, would be put to good use for the 700 residents of Mesves-sur-Loire in Nièvre, Bourgogne.

He plans to clear the village’s debt, start a clean-up operation and build a hall named after Mrs Daignas. Mrs Daignas had no heirs and died in a retirement home.

French firm aims to cut food waste through 'upcycling'

Waste is taken from restaurants and turned into new products

Luthiers in Nice repair five- or six-figure violins and cellos

In a Nice workshop, two trained luthiers are busy helping musicians produce their best performances

EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK

A service from Bordeaux to Birmingham is among the new announcements

French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north

Cloudy skies are expected to dominate in the north, but in the south temperatures will still reach double figures

Chronopost, Colissimo, and Mondial Relay: Beware delivery scams in France

The surge in Christmas shopping always leads to an uptick of scams at this time of year

Police appeal for help as thefts of internet and phone cables increase in Brittany

‘These acts of vandalism threaten access to the telephone and internet network’, say police

Flu spreads in France: Four regions at epidemic level

All of the country is affected as the number of influenza cases rises

Cyclist stabbed in row over road rights in Lyon

The argument with two men on an e-scooter reportedly broke out over right of way

Man leaves €10m to Normandy village just because of its name

Roger Thiberville is not thought to have ever visited Thiberville. ‘It is a lovely surprise just before Christmas’ said the mairie

French road sign expands to Spain - but most drivers unaware of its meaning

Road sign is only in use for specific weather conditions

Letters: Can Hybrid cars leave you stranded without a spare wheel in France?

Readers share their experiences - their and solutions - over what to do if you do not have a spare in case of a flat tyre

Cash, cheque, bank cards: what payment types can a shop legally refuse in France?

There are clear rules on how, when and why businesses can refuse to accept payment

Letters: Sliced bread is simply too sweet in France

Connexion reader says that UK bread is far ahead of its French equivalent

Properties you can buy for under €50,00, €150,000 and €1 million in Pas-de-Calais

One of France's most densely populated departments is reinventing itself to appeal to tourists

Centrist François Bayrou announced as new French prime minister

The veteran politician is currently mayor of Pau and a key Macron ally in parliament

Drinks mis-sold as traditional kefir ‘mislead’ consumers in France

Many ‘kefir’ drinks do not contain the right ingredients, a consumer association says

Letters: Are French disabled badges not valid in UK?

One reader has issues when visiting a UK airport, while another has had no such problems

What was happening in France 10, 50 and 100 years ago in December

A look back at events from the final month of the year 1924, 1974 and 2014

Discover French magical Christmas châteaux in the Loire valley

Chateaux in the Pays de la Loire work together to provide festive cheer and local towns join in the festive fun

Few French newspapers were founded before 1945

Many newspapers were deemed to have collaborated during World War Two

Try out this Chartreuse and walnut macaron recipe

This tasty treat combines the liquer from Isère with a nutty flavour to create one France's favourite confectioneries

New pollution bans from January: Which cars and which cities in France?

Changes mean vehicles with Crit’Air level 3 will be banned in four cities

Interview: French cheesemonger on what it takes to become the best in the world

Vincent Philippe describes the effort that it took him to achieve the title of World's Best Cheesemonger, some of his favourite cheeses and France's biggest strengths involving cheese

Fréjus Tunnel that connects France and Italy to close this weekend

The tunnel will close for 12 hours and not the 56 hours originally announced

French village’s surprise €4.5m

A villager left €4.5million as a surprise gift to her commune – four times its annual budget – in her will.

French firm aims to cut food waste through 'upcycling'

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK

French firm aims to cut food waste through 'upcycling'

Luthiers in Nice repair five- or six-figure violins and cellos

Rise in number of French businesses failing

France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?

Festive French phrases and words for the Christmas period

EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK

French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north

Chronopost, Colissimo, and Mondial Relay: Beware delivery scams in France

Police appeal for help as thefts of internet and phone cables increase in Brittany

Flu spreads in France: Four regions at epidemic level

Cyclist stabbed in row over road rights in Lyon

Man leaves €10m to Normandy village just because of its name

French road sign expands to Spain - but most drivers unaware of its meaning

Letters: Can Hybrid cars leave you stranded without a spare wheel in France?

Photo: French police stop driver over car covered in Christmas lights

Bordeaux-Ireland flights: Aer Lingus to replace Ryanair

Letters: This photo tip makes it easier to renew UK passports in France

Cash, cheque, bank cards: what payment types can a shop legally refuse in France?

Letters: Sliced bread is simply too sweet in France

Properties you can buy for under €50,00, €150,000 and €1 million in Pas-de-Calais

Centrist François Bayrou announced as new French prime minister

Drinks mis-sold as traditional kefir ‘mislead’ consumers in France

Bees protected from Asian hornet attacks by award-winning French device

Why is Bordeaux also known as the ‘port of the moon’?

Rules relaxed for French salary-savings scheme

Letters: Are French disabled badges not valid in UK?

What was happening in France 10, 50 and 100 years ago in December

Discover French magical Christmas châteaux in the Loire valley

Few French newspapers were founded before 1945

Try out this Chartreuse and walnut macaron recipe

New pollution bans from January: Which cars and which cities in France?

Interview: French cheesemonger on what it takes to become the best in the world

Fréjus Tunnel that connects France and Italy to close this weekend