The Local France

'Swiss cheese': Why this French city is worried about sinkholes

Fri, 02 May 2025 16:01:33 +0200

After calling the ground 'Swiss cheese', the mayor of a town in central France is commissioning a special mapping exercise to prevent and monitor future sinkholes.

Elephant quits French circus and hits the streets of Clermont-Ferrand

Thu, 11 May 2017 12:07:05 +0200

Motorists no doubt couldn't believe their eyes when an elephant took to the streets of Clermont-Ferrand after apparently escaping from a circus.

Mother charged over death of 'missing' Fiona

Tue, 22 Oct 2013 20:02:00 +0200

French police on Tuesday charged Cécile Bourgeon with delivering the "fatal blows" to her five-year-old daughter Fiona. Bourgeon had elicited nationwide sympathy in May by reporting the girl missing, only to admit last month that Fiona had been dead for months.

The mother whose tears fooled France for months

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 19:18:00 +0200

Since reporting her five-year-old daughter Fiona missing in May, Cécile Bourgeon has had the sympathy and support of the entire French nation. This week, though, she made an unthinkable confession and quickly became a figure of hatred in France.

Missing girl's desperate mum renews appeal

Mon, 12 Aug 2013 18:45:00 +0200

The mother of five-year-old Fiona, who disappeared from a park in central France three months ago, renewed her public appeal for information on Monday. Cécile Bourgeon also said she had been disappointed by a series of fruitless leads.

Police believe missing French girl was abducted

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:28:00 +0200

Police in the French city of Clermont-Ferrand now believe missing five-year-old girl, Fiona is likely to have been abducted, after an appeal for witnesses and two days of fruitless searches.

Search widened in hunt for missing 5-year-old

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:35:00 +0200

Police in the central French city of Clermont-Ferrand have launched an urgent public appeal as they hunt for a missing 5-year-old girl who was last seen in a park on Sunday evening. Her mother dozed off for a moment and when she woke Fiona was gone.

250 riot police on alert in Clermont-Ferrand

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:35:00 +0100

Around 30 cars were set on fire on Saturday night in Clermont Ferrand after tension over the arrest of a man on New Year's Eve continued to have repercussions around the city.

Disco dancing mum leaves daughter in car

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:35:40 +0200

A 41-year old woman has been arrested after leaving her seven year old daughter in a car outside a nightclub while she spent the night inside.