A British tycoon has asked a French court to shut down a chip stand near his flat in the plush ski resort of Val d'Isere, as he cannot stand the smell of cooking fat.

The 65-year multi-millionaire Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones claims the stand is a "visual, auditory and olfactory nuisance" and contravenes hygiene rules and local planning by-laws.

Sir Lindsay, who is the former head of cosmetics giant L'Oreal, is seeking compensation for a decrease in the value of his property. Three neighbours have joined him in his legal bid.

But the demands from one of France's highest-paid ex-bosses snowballed into something of a Gallic class war after the chip stand owner accused him of acting like a feudal lord intent on crushing French "peasants".

I agree with the chip-stand owner:

British tycoon's bid to close 'smelly' chip stand near his flat - Telegraph

"They complain about the noise and the smell of chips, but if you want peace and quiet, you don't buy an apartment at the foot of the slopes," she said.