The heirs of auto magnate Louis Renault are suing the French state over the nationalisation of his company in the aftermath of World War II. Historians today disagree about the extent of Renault’s collaboration with the Nazis.

"/> The heirs of auto magnate Louis Renault are suing the French state over the nationalisation of his company in the aftermath of World War II. Historians today disagree about the extent of Renault’s collaboration with the Nazis.

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Renault heirs sue France for nationalizing company

The heirs of auto magnate Louis Renault are suing the French state over the nationalisation of his company in the aftermath of World War II. Historians today disagree about the extent of Renault’s collaboration with the Nazis.

Published: 14 December 2011 12:16 CET
Renault heirs sue France for nationalizing company

Renault heirs are to demand reparations in court on Wednesday for the nationalisation of the company in 1945, Le Figaro reports. They say their family received no compensation at the time and the move was unfair punishment for Louis Renault’s attitude during the war.

“No other French company was nationalised in this way,” said lawyer Thierry Levy in an interview with journalists. “some industrial leaders were condemned for collaborating with the Nazis, but their companies weren’t taken away.”

Louis Renault founded the auto company in 1898 with his brother, and was arrested in September 1944. He died a month later in prison without facing trial. At the time of his death, Renault owned 96.8 percent of his company, factories across France and offices on the Paris avenue Les Champs Elysées.

Historians however disagree on Renault’s attitude during the war. Unlike auto manufacturers Michelin or Peugeot, the auto magnate did not build ties with the French Resistance. Historians however say the relationship between Renault and the Nazis has yet to be fully investigated.

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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