French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Catherine Pégard as the nation’s new Culture Minister, succeeding Rachida Dati. Pégard, a former political journalist and longtime president of the Château de Versailles, moves into the role after serving as Macron’s cultural advisor since 2024. Dati is stepping down from the post to focus on her candidacy for the Paris mayoral election in March.
Pégard takes over a ministry currently grappling with significant budget cuts and the reputational damage following the high-profile theft of the French crown jewels from the Louvre. Her appointment signals a shift toward a more institutional and heritage-focused leadership after the turbulent tenure of Dati, whose term was marked by legal controversies, strained relations with the press, and the recent resignation of Louvre director Laurence des Cars.