Scam victim travels 500 miles to find French beauty Queen ‘lover' is married
The man, who called himself Michel, turned up at the home of Sophie Vouzelaud, in Saint-Julien and announced: 'I am the future husband of Sophie Vouzelaud.'
Her husband, Fabien, came out and said to Michel: 'Well, I'm the current one.'
Ms Vouzelaud is a former Miss Limousin and Miss France 2007 runner-up. She has nearly 300,000 followers on Instagram and posts frequently about her life on social media.
Michel, 76, believed that he had been speaking on WhatsApp to the French model for weeks and had even sent £25,000 – which he thought was going to be paid back.
'I think she played a dirty trick on me,' Michel said.
In desperation, Michel showed the husband his phone, and the string of messages exchanged between himself and the person he believed to be Ms Vouzelaud.
'My wife, no, it's the fake accounts,' Fabien replied. 'You have to be very careful.'
Soon, Michel realised that he had been swindled, and told the couple: 'I am an imbecile.'
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The Guardian
39 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The DJ who united the warring tribes of French rap and dance – and died tragically young
The late DJ Mehdi had a talent for bridging divides. At the height of the musician's fame, Mehdi's cousin Myriam Essadi recalls in a new documentary, he had to jet straight from a nightclub in Ibiza to his grandfather's funeral in Tunisia. 'He was wearing red glasses, white jeans and a jacket with a cross. In Tunisia! For our grandfather's funeral!' Essadi laughs. 'We didn't get it. And in Tunisia you don't mess with religion.' DJ Mehdi: Made in France, a six-part documentary now available with English subtitles on Franco-German broadcaster Arte, revisits the life and tragic death of one of the most fascinating, influential and misunderstood French musicians of his generation. International audiences largely know Mehdi, who died in 2011 at the age of 34, for his work with Parisian label Ed Banger in the 2000s, spearheading a new wave of French dance music alongside artists such as Justice – they of the cross logo on Mehdi's jacket – and SebastiAn. In France, however, his legacy is more complicated, opening up questions about the rift between hip-hop and dance music, as well as underlying divisions in French society. Born to a French-Tunisian family in the north-west suburbs of Paris in 1977, Mehdi Favéris-Essadi rose to prominence for his production work with rap group Ideal J and hip-hop collective Mafia K-1 Fry. His first big hits came with 113, a rap trio whose 1999 album Les Princes de la Ville is considered one of the most important albums of the decade in France. When Les Princes was released, dance music had already entered Mehdi's life via Cassius duo Philippe Zdar and Boombass, whom he worked with on MC Solaar's 1997 album Paradisiaque. Several of the leading producers of French house music had roots in hip-hop, including Pépé Bradock and Cassius themselves. But none were as well known within the rap world as Mehdi, and his pivot was not always warmly received. 'You couldn't switch from rap to electro or vice versa. In the other world, you weren't legitimate,' Essadi explains in the documentary. In the US, hip-hop and dance music were initially closely linked, sharing roots in soul and funk music as well as production methods, a connection Mehdi appreciated when he heard Daft Punk's 1997 album Homework. 'I thought: 'That's funny, we use the same machines, the same samplers, they live just around the corner, they're about my age, that could have been me,'' Mehdi says in an archival clip. By the late 90s hip-hop had risen to such prominence in the US that its leading artists tended to view dance music as a forgotten fad, if they thought about it at all. In the UK the opposite was true, with strength of British dance music eclipsing domestic hip-hop. In France, homegrown rap was extremely strong in the late 1990s. In the media, however, it was often vilified, while dance music was viewed as the next big thing, thanks to the rise of acts like Daft Punk, Étienne de Crécy and Cassius. The tension between two types of music and their various associations – Parisian elite v working class, city v suburbs – was palpable. 'In 1997, if 47 guys and girls from [Paris suburb] Bobigny wanted to get into the Queen club [a Paris club known for house music] they couldn't,' Boombass says in the documentary. 'To them we were just guys who smoked weed, only good for a bank robbery or to deal drugs to them,' Essadi adds. ''You're from the suburbs.' That meant many different things to people from central Paris who went to the Palace club or to Bains Douche to listen to dance music.' When Mehdi tried to bridge this gap – for example, with the Kraftwerk-sampling beat for 113's Ouais Gros – the response was often negative. 'When people heard it they thought: 'Who are these guys hardcore rapping to music like this? I don't get it,'' 113's AP says in the documentary. 'I remember people stopping me in the streets, people from the rap world saying: 'What's Mehdi doing? Talk to him! What's this new music, this crazy music,'' Essadi recounts. Mehdi would go on to have huge success in electronic music off the back of the release of Signatune in 2007. 'Signatune was soon being played by the most well-known DJs all across the globe and promoters all wanted to book DJ Mehdi for their events,' former Daft Punk manager Pedro Winter explains in Made in France. The final part of the documentary shows footage of Mehdi's international success, DJing at huge clubs and festivals alongside the Ed Banger crew to adoring, hedonistic crowds. It comes in sharp contrast to scenes of poverty and crime, burnt cars and drab suburban tower blocks, that mark the documentary's first two episodes, examining Mehdi's roots in hip-hop and the unfashionable outskirts of Paris. Mehdi died on 13 September 2011 at the height of his international fame, when the skylight on the roof of his Paris home collapsed as he was celebrating the birthday of British producer Riton. 'Four of them were sat on this … glass, sort of, roof,' Riton says in the documentary. 'They just got to stand up, that's when it like … made the roof collapse through. Then the next thing, we were just looking through this hole at this horrific scene.' Tributes to Mehdi came in from the elite of the global dance music world, including US dubstep artist Skrillex and Ed Simons from the Chemical Brothers. And yet, for people in France in particular, this was only half the story. 'Internationally [Mehdi's] probably best known as one of the frontrunners of the Ed Banger crew that defined an entire era,' Canadian DJ A-trak says at the end of the documentary. 'But, of course, he has a huge legacy as the king of French hip-hop production and even just someone who brought together these unlikely pairings of scenes.' 'He helped us evolve our music over time,' 113's Mokobé adds. 'It's thanks to him that there are no limits, no bars, no borders for us … This is what his music was all about; no bars, no barriers, no border.' DJ Mehdi: Made in France is available to watch on Arte from 1 August
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Body of young woman found close to where British expat was murdered in rural France
The dead body of a young woman has been found close to the spot where a British woman was murdered in a frenzied knife attack in rural France. Floriane Roux, 31, was reported missing exactly a week ago, before her body was uncovered by a police dog on Monday. It was hidden in thick undergrowth in the village of Paunat, in the Dordogne department, east of Bordeaux. This is less than five miles from Trémolot, where Karen Carter, 65 and a mother of four, was stabbed repeatedly before succumbing to her wounds outside her home on 29 April. The British-South African national had spent a night out with friends, before dying next to her car. Florian Roux, who was French, had also been planning a night out with friends, before her body was found close to her Vauxhall Corsa. Both deaths are now being investigated by local prosecutors, supported by judicial police and gendarmes. An investigating source said on Wednesday: 'The body of Floriane Roux was found on Monday, at 4pm. It was in a small shelter, hidden by tall grass and plants and not far from her vehicle, next to the Dordogne River.' The body was found by a dog, who was one of seven involved in a search organised by gendarmes from Bergerac, said the source. A doctor pronounced Ms Roux dead at the scene, before police removed her body. Neither the circumstances nor cause of Ms Roux's death are yet known, and no theory – including the possibility of suicide – is being ruled out, said the source. According to her her family, Floriane Roux was supposed to meet a friend for the evening on July 23, but the friend claims not to have seen her. An investigation was opened last week by the Bergerac prosecutor's office into a 'disturbing disappearance.' Those questioned by police included Ms Roux's boyfriend, whom she lived with in Montanceix, near Saint-Astier. Ms Carter had attended a wine tasting hosted by Jean-François Guerrier, her 75-year-old lover, in the hours before her death. Both Mr Guerrier and Marie-Laure Autefort, another Trémolat resident said to have been passionately in love with him, were originally arrested, but then released without charge. Ms Carter left the party at 10pm, and had promised to phone Mr Guerrier when she got home. Concerned when he heard nothing, Mr Guerrier, a former managing director of Fujitsu Services who worked in Britain at one point, drove to check on her, and found her body sprawled on the driveway of the property she ran as a rental business. Despite attempts to save her, Ms Carter died from severe blood loss, after being stabbed in the chest, groin, arm and leg, according to an autopsy. Investigators leading the investigation feared that someone who held a grudge against Ms Carter – or 'the new couple' she was forming with Jean-François Guerrier – may have killed her. Prosecutors believe the murder was a meticulously planned crime, carried out by someone who knew Ms Carter. He or she lay in wait, they believe, and took care to avoid leaving forensic evidence, before using 'unspeakable violence' against the defenceless Ms Carter, according an investigating source. 'It certainly could have been someone who knew the victim from the Café Village, or a contract killer acting on their behalf,' the source added. Ms Carter had British and South African nationality, and her husband, Alan Carter, was at their home in East London, South Africa, at the time of the killing. He arrived in Trémolat soon afterwards, and visited the scene of the suspected murder, before organising his wife's funeral, which took place in Bergerac in early July. Mr Guerrier has meanwhile declined to speak at length, saying: 'Karen was a lovely lady, but I can't answer any more questions at the moment.' He confirmed hosting a party at his converted farmhouse, close to the village, just before Ms Carter's death.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Inside the real-life town that Disneyland Paris built – with Italian-copycat homes and no rubbish on the streets
LOVE Disneyland Paris so much you could live there? That's not actually impossible… Because the much-loved European theme park has built its own town called Val D'Europe - which is only a six-minute drive from the theme park. 8 8 8 Just like any normal town, there are thousands of homes, offices, restaurants, schools, supermarkets and even a hospital. Essentially, it has everything you'd ever need... just with a world-class theme park on the doorstep. It all started back in 1987, when Disney started to build Euro Disney, which is now known as Disneyland Paris. Working with the French Government, the park was sold the surrounding land and it soon began to build its own town for people to live in. Today, more than 50,000 people have set up home in the town, with houses selling from €250,000 (£215,521) to €465,000 (£400,869). Many of the houses and buildings town were inspired by both Regent's Park in London and Tuscany in Italy, according to The Times. Frank Hetherton, one of Disney's leading architects, admitted: "We did borrow from there. It's an authentic style." As the town rose from the ground, Disney had grand ambitions for it, like a job for every resident. They're big on cleanliness to, with visitors claiming they never see any Ideals rubbish or graffiti on the streets. And locals are overwhelmingly satisfied with the town, scoring 90 percent on happiness with their surroundings in previous surveys among residents. If you are a Disney mega fan, you definitely won't want to miss exploring the town as it is home to many Disney-themed locations. Elsewhere in Val d'Europe you can explore a large shopping centre with lots of French brands but household favourites too like H&M. Just nine-minutes walking from the shopping centre is one of the many hotels in the town - the Relais Spa Val d'Europe. Inside guests can enjoy a serene spa, with an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room, and stay costs from £135 per night. Or you could opt to stay at the Grand Magic Hotel, which is sat next to a park overlooking a pond. The fantasy-themed hotel even has it's own character named Monsieur Maurice who looks after all the hotel has to offer including flamboyant interiors, a Grand Hall and immersive animations. Back into the town, there is also La Vallée Village, which is home to different outlet stores offering designer items at discounted prices. The destination is owned by the same company as Bicester Village found in Oxford, UK and at La Vallée visitors will find similar brands, as well as more local designers. 8 8 For a little history hunting, you can head to Château de Chessy, where you will find a pretty castle in the middle of an expansive park with a lake. And if you are looking or a bite to eat, you won't be short of options. You could head to the classic french spot, Le Diplomate Cafe and Bar, which has a range of cocktails, organic wine and champagne. Dishes include grilled aubergine and beef tartare. Alternatively, head to Wonderwoods Restauran, which features a fun interior that looks more like an enchanted woodland. The immersive restaurant features fairy creatures, mushrooms and woodland paths. You could experience snails or opt for a classic truffle pasta, or even treat yourself to afternoon tea. 8 The entire town is split into six communes, each with different places, attractions and spots to eat worth exploring including multiple green spaces and bicycle paths. For those living there, it has been designed so that everything they could ever need is within a 10-15minute walk. And across the entire development there are no high rises, as it was designed to be a very liveable community that wasn't overdeveloped. That isn't the end either, as over the next 15 years Val d'Europe will double in size. By 2040, there will be even more shops, restaurant and 1,800 more hotel rooms. And by then, 80,000 people are expected to live there thanks to over 6,000 new homes, 1,880 new residences and more office spaces. Philippe Descrouet, mayor of Serris and president of Val d'Europe Agglomeration told Envie de Villes:"We are only halfway through the development of this new city. "The first part of the story, written over the past 35 years, has been a success. 8 "The second part will bring us to 100,000 inhabitants and the development of 350,000m² of office space as well as 300,000m² of additional activities." Nearby, Center Parcs ' Villages Nature site is also undergoing development which is expected to be completed by 2037. Visitors will be able to enjoy 170 new holiday homes, making there a total of 1,100 at the site. Closer to 2037, there will also be 1,500 more places to stay in the park, leading to 3,000 in total by 2037. Eventually, the village will have new restaurants, shops and leisure activities too. A Sun reporter also recently went behind the scenes of Disneyland Paris' huge park expansion – with a new Frozen land and first ever Lion King ride. Plus, the ground-breaking new Disneyland Paris show that makes you feel like you're inside a Disney movie. 8
