[Solved] What is this insect? maybe 2 or 3cm, France

Love those big metallic blue bumble bees, Xylocopa violacea - the violet carpenter bee

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylocopa_violacea

I believe it may be a carpenter bee or Abeille charpentière in French.

Here in South Limburg you are lucky to spot one. They are spotted roughly about 25 times a year and we have them on the endangered species list.

I’m a month late, but take a look at this short video in French. (Terrapodia rocks.) I come across one of those maybe once or twice a year in the Paris suburbs, it’s always a treat.