The Orléans criminal court opened the trial of Olivier Bouygues on Monday for the destruction of protected bird species. The billionaire is appearing alongside five co-defendants in a case that came to light after the discovery, in 2025, of a mass grave on his hunting estate in the Sologne forest. Investigators found protected birds and several cats, both domestic and wild, killed on the property. The six defendants face up to seven years in prison and a fine of €750.000.
Heavy penalties incurred
The discovery of this mass grave triggered a judicial investigation that has now culminated in this highly anticipated trial. The charges specifically concern the destruction of protected species on the billionaire's estate, where the presence of numerous dead animals shocked authorities during searches.
The case reveals the extent of the offenses committed on this property in Sologne. The maximum sentences faced reflect the seriousness of the charges against the six defendants, the main suspect being the property owner.
