The couple were originally from the wealthy Paris suburb of Versailles but had moved to a townhouse on a central boulevard in Nantes.

BBC: France: Nantes 'shot' family's car found on Riviera

Paris Mayor Jean Tiberi reported a 20% cut in traffic during the day and a 65% increase in cyclists using the central rue de Rivoli and Boulevard Saint-Germain.

BBC: News | Europe | Off the roads