Catherine Pégard Named France’s New Culture Minister Following Rachida Dati’s Resignation

Catherine Pégard has been appointed as France’s new Minister of Culture, succeeding Rachida Dati, who stepped down to focus on her campaign for mayor of Paris. The appointment was announced on Thursday, February 26, 2026, by the Élysée Palace [Deadline].

A Veteran of French Politics and Culture

Pégard, 71, is a former journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the French magazine Le Point for over three decades. She previously advised Nicolas Sarkozy during his presidency, holding a political and cultural advisory role from 2007 to 2011 [Huffington Post]. More recently, she served as President Emmanuel Macron’s culture advisor since 2024 [Deadline].

Prior to her appointment, Pégard served as president of the Palace of Versailles estate for 12 years, from 2011, overseeing the palace, museum, and grounds [Deadline]. In October 2024, she was appointed Chief of Cultural Development at the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA), supporting the preservation of the world heritage site in Saudi Arabia and overseeing Macron’s visit to the site in December 2024 [Deadline].

Dati’s Departure and Focus on Paris Mayoral Race

Rachida Dati resigned as Culture Minister on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to dedicate herself to her campaign to become mayor of Paris [Deadline]. Her departure came after just over two years in the role, a period that initially surprised the arts, culture, and audiovisual sectors [Deadline].

Amir Honored Before Dati’s Exit

In one of her final acts as Minister of Culture, Dati honored singer Amir Haddad, known professionally as Amir, with the rank of Officer within the Order of Arts and Letters on February 3, 2026, recognizing his contributions to French music [Huffington Post]. Amir shared his gratitude on Instagram, expressing his surprise and emotion at receiving the honor [Huffington Post].

Challenges Ahead for Pégard

Catherine Pégard assumes the role of Culture Minister amidst challenges within the sector, including concerns over recent cuts to the state budget and ongoing discussions regarding reform of the state audiovisual sector [Deadline].