-
France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?
The country will effectively be without a budget from 2025, with knock-on effects for individuals and companies
-
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
Town urges return of precious saint’s head
Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche in Nouvelle-Aquitaine is demanding the return from New York of a precious medieval bust of the saint who evangelised the area.
The bust – made to hold part of the skull of Saint Aredius – is thought to have been sold off by the priest in 1905 and replaced by a copy, into which the relics were moved. It is brought out every seven years to be venerated.
However the council says it was already a listed historic monument and communal property.
New research suggests the 13th century piece in silver, gold and semi-precious stones (below) was sold to a Paris dealer who had a copy made. It was acquired by an American who gave it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In the context of the 1905 church/state separation law, it is thought some priests were persuaded to sell treasures, rather than see them in state ownership.