Catherine Pégard brings diverse experience from journalism, government, and cultural institutions to her new role
Rachida Dati resigned to focus on her mayoral campaign for Paris, calling it 'the battle of my life'
The transition occurs with municipal elections just two and a half weeks away
Pégard's appointment represents a significant shift in France's cultural leadership
📖 Full Retelling
Catherine Pégard, a former film journalist and former head of the Château de Versailles who previously served in Nicolas Sarkozy's cabinet, has been appointed France's new Culture Minister on February 26, 2026, succeeding Rachida Dati who resigned to pursue her mayoral ambitions in Paris. The 65-year-old cultural administrator brings a wealth of experience from both journalism and high-profile cultural administration to her new ministerial role. Pégard's career has spanned multiple sectors of French cultural life, from her early days as a journalist covering film and entertainment to her influential leadership at one of France's most iconic historical landmarks. Her appointment comes at a critical time as France navigates challenges in its cultural sector while maintaining its global influence in arts and heritage. The transition occurs as the country approaches municipal elections in just two and a half weeks, adding political significance to this cabinet reshuffling. Dati's departure marks the end of her tenure as Culture Minister, during which she focused on cultural accessibility and digital transformation of French cultural institutions.
🏷️ Themes
Political Appointments, Cultural Leadership, Career Transitions
The Ministry of Culture (French: Ministère de la Culture [ministɛʁ də la kyltyʁ]) is the ministry of the Government of France in charge of national museums and the monuments historiques. Its goal is to maintain the French identity through the promotion and protection of the arts (visual, plastic, th...
Rachida Dati ([ʁaʃida dati] ; born 27 November 1965) is a French politician, lawyer and magistrate who has served as Minister of Culture since January 2024 in the government of Gabriel Attal, government of Michel Barnier, government of François Bayrou and the first and second governments of Sébastie...
The Government of France (French: Gouvernement français, pronounced [ɡuvɛʁnəmɑ̃ fʁɑ̃sɛ]), officially the Government of the French Republic (Gouvernement de la République française, [ɡuvɛʁnəmɑ̃ d(ə) la ʁepyblik fʁɑ̃sɛːz]), exercises executive power in France. It is composed of the prime minister, who...
Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron (born 21 December 1977) is a French politician who has served as President of France and Co-Prince of Andorra since 2017. He served as Minister of Economics and Finance under President François Hollande from 2014 to 2016. He has been a member of Renaissance since...
Feb 26, 2026 11:14am PT Former Château de Versailles President Catherine Pégard Appointed France’s Culture Minister, Succeeding Rachida Dati By Elsa Keslassy Plus Icon Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent @elsakeslassy Latest Israeli Film Community Throws Support Behind Tricia Tuttle, Hailing Berlinale as Space for ‘Open Debate’ and ‘Non-Censorship’ 6 hours ago Catherine Deneuve Co-Authors ‘Marilyn Chérie,’ Timed to Marilyn Monroe’s 100th Birthday 9 hours ago Berlinale Staffers Voice Support for Festival Chief Tricia Tuttle in Open Letter 10 hours ago See All Catherine Pégard, a former film journalist who previously worked in Nicolas Sarkozy’s cabinet and headed the Château de Versailles, has been appointed France’s culture minister. Pégard succeeds Rachida Dati , who handed her resignation to French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday morning to pursue her ambition to become mayor of Paris which she described as “the battle of my life.” The municipal elections are starting in two and a half weeks. Related Stories Delroy Lindo Reflects on 'Sinners,' His First Oscar Nomination and the Awards Snubs in Between: 'The Work Still Stands'
