France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has admitted to disguising herself to travel incognito in Paris. 

"/> France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has admitted to disguising herself to travel incognito in Paris. 

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CARLA BRUNI

Carla dons wig for private Paris escapades

France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has admitted to disguising herself to travel incognito in Paris. 

Published: 6 April 2012 13:09 CEST
Carla dons wig for private Paris escapades
Peter Potrowl

“With a wig nobody recognises me in the metro,” says former model and first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in an interview with the weekly Le Nouvel Observateur. “Recently, my handbag was even searched in the museum of the Navy.” 

“Fame isn’t difficult to bear because I like to disguise myself literally and figuratively,” says Bruni-Sarkozy. 

In a recent interview, the glamorous first lady admitted to rather unusual habits to escape the formality of the Elysée Palace such as wearing a wig.

Bruni-Sarkozy says her way of life is eccentric compared to previous first ladies, such as Claude Pompidou, a philantropist and first lady in the 70s. 

“Next to Madame Pompidou, I’m Lady Gaga!” she said. 

Bruni-Sarkozy has been criticised for being out of touch with common people at a time when the French are suffering from a deep economic crisis. 

As well as being a former model known for her flings with celebrities including Mick Jagger,  Bruni-Sarkozy is also an Italian heiress and a singer.

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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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