bugs - what are they?

All over the place, everywhere, on the rocks, on the ground, on the tree roots, even on a drain cover. I have no idea what they were eating, but they certainly seem to be breeding!
Closest in my book is Corizus hyoscyami but that s British and these are French.
I notice the markings change with age.

They look like immature box elder bugs, but not a hundred percent sure.

No idea but I like how they're "spilling out" of that hole. #3 is nice.

No clue what they are, but very nice images.

Thanks for the comments!
Not bad for the E-P1 and kit lens :)

I looked up beetles of france and saw several orange and black but the black markings always seemed to be a little different.

They vary with size - which I assume is age.
Looks like they change colour with each instar, gaining more black at each step.