-
Watchdog highlights Christmas food shopping ‘scams’ in France
Pastries with palm oil, excess packaging, inflated prices…vote for the worst ‘scam’ in this food watchdog’s annual contest
-
Epidemic alerts raised in France: see how your area is affected
Bronchiolitis is bad nationwide while flu indicators are increasing in the north and east
-
Cheaper but slower… €10 train fare for Paris to Brussels route
Ticket sales are already open for journeys up to the end of March
Mayor apologises for April Fool's joke
Ikea store 'news' upsets residents of Oise capital
The mayor of Oise capital Beauvais has had to apologise after a Poisson d'Avril joke sparked an outcry.
Caroline Cayeux announced on Sunday that Swedish homeware giant Ikea was moving into the town, creating some 4,000 jobs.
The joke did not please the townsfolk, who said the joke was 'inappropriate', and criticised the mayor for 'unacceptably' raising the hopes of unemployed residents.
Ms Cayeux apologised on Europe1 radio, admitting it "was not very wise", and said she was sorry that "some may have misinterpreted the joke".
Read more: Did you spot Poisson d'Avril jokes in French press?
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