sounds like a bee
Whilst trying to photograph a bumble bee, bumbling around in the now rather lush ground cover, my attention was drawn to this big black bug, behaving in much the same fashion as the bumble bee.
It had a loud buzz and was busy foraging within the flowers. But the body is glossy, heavy and black which made me think ‘beetle’. The wings are fabulous – a gorgeous irridescent blue.
Anyway, a quick google has provided the answer – it seems that I have met my first Carpenter Bee. Apparently fairly common in France, they make their home in old rotting trees, live a somewhat solitary existence, and are not aggressive and rarely sting.
In France, they are called the blue bee or abeille charpentiere and its Latin name is Xylocopa violacea.
Carpenter Bee
Stick To Plan Bee 
I think it is a special ‘Everton Bee’ – to cheer you up for losing this weekend!!!
What a beauty. Do you follow A French Garden’s blog at http://afrenchgarden.wordpress.com/2013/03/10/in-praise-of-my-plum-tree/ ? She posts lots of amazing photos of bees in her garden and I think has posted about these particular bees before.
Top Tip, Emily, thanks – I am now a follower of A French Garden – splendid posts and images, I will go and make another cup of coffee and have a good peruse.
Incidentally, I have just received my copy of ‘Apis through the Looking Glass’ – will be submitting a post shortly, with due credit to your blog too.
Ah good – haven’t been able to afford my copy of Apis Through the Looking Glass yet – waiting for pay day! Hope you like it.