Overview
- An official order dated December 19 and published December 26 confirms the state accepted a €4.3 million donation, transferred by Michelin on December 11.
- Michelin describes the move as a voluntary reimbursement, noting the CICE scheme did not include any mechanism requiring repayment.
- The funds had been traced by Michelin to modernize the La Roche‑sur‑Yon site, including eight machines, several of which were later moved to Spain, Italy and Poland after the closure.
- The amount mirrors calculations highlighted by a Senate inquiry and France 2 reporting, and Bercy says the restitution was reviewed and deemed legally and budgetarily compliant.
- A CFDT representative in Cholet welcomed the payment as a matter of principle while urging tighter rules on public aid, echoing Senate recommendations on conditionality tied to relocations.