Maurice has been granted the freedom to keep on crowing
Due to their contempt for most things rural, Jean-Louis and Joelle Biron are not particularly enthusiastic about the traditional soundtrack of country life, from crickets to roosters, tractors, horses, fowls and frogs.
Despite this, the couple bought a second home on the island of Oleron after retiring from central France. However, it was clear that they have a special disdain for those who live in Rural areas who have long kept animals.
Baring their teeth, the Birons recently went to court having targeted a particular rooster called Maurice. They complained that Maurice was making an abnormal racket when he crowed at 6.30am and was disturbing the peace during their holidays.
Now, judges in the Atlantic port of Rochefort ruled that the morning calls of the bird on the island of Oléron did not disturb the peace. They also ordered Jean-Louis and Joelle Biron to pay the owner Corinne Fesseau €1,000 in damages.
Fesseau spoke after the hearing, “I’m speechless. We certainly ruffled their feathers. It’s a victory for all those who are in my situation. I hope this will be a precedent for the others. Everyone will now be protected: the church bells, the frogs … why not a Maurice law to protect all rural noises.”
