British father, 65, vanishes while travelling across France

28 Sep 2026 • 7:43 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

British father, 65, vanishes while travelling across France

The family of a British man have appealed for information after the 65-year-old vanished while travelling across France.

Andrew ‘Andy’ Shirlaw, 65, has been missing since last Tuesday, September 22.

His last known location was Paris, France, but it is understood he had planned to travel south to Bordeaux, La Rochelle and then Toulouse.

His family described him as a 65-year-old male, about 6ft tall with a slim build who often wears clear glasses, a hearing aid and patterned shirts, shorts and sandals.

He speaks fluent French, with an English accent and is talkative.

His family described him as a 65-year-old male, about 6ft tall with a slim build (@thenewgabriellapayne/Instagram)

In a statement, his daughter Gabriella Payne wrote: “Our dad, Andrew Shirlaw (Andy), aged 65, has been missing since Tuesday 22 September. His last known location was Paris, and we believe he was planning to travel south, eventually ending in Toulouse.

“We are extremely concerned because it is completely out of character for Andy not to maintain contact with us. Friends who saw him in Paris were also concerned about him before we lost contact.

“Andy is British but speaks fluent French with an English accent. He is very slim, around 6ft tall, often wears clear glasses and sometimes a hearing aid. He is very talkative, eccentric and will often strike up conversations with strangers.

“If you have seen Andy, spoken to him, travelled with him, or have any information at all about where he may be, please DM me @thenewgabriellapayne or contact the local police.

“Even if you’re not in France, please share this post — particularly with anyone you know in Paris, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Toulouse or elsewhere in France.

“We just want to know that he is safe.”

The Independent has contacted Paris police for comment.

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