From the transatlantic war of diplomatic manners to a literal ‘hang it in the Louvre’ moment, via a roundup of the best photos of French politicians cuddling animals (or looking scared of a rabbit), Inside France is our weekly look at the latest news and talking points in France.
Inside France is editor Emma Pearson’s weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.
Silence of the lamb
And the award for the unhappiest looking animal of the week has to go to this lamb, which looks distinctly disgruntled to be cuddled by far-right leader Marine Le Pen, although it’s unclear whether the young sheep’s objections were political in nature.
Le Pen was, like the rest of the French political establishment, at the Salon de l’Agriculture this week, the Paris farm show that has become a staple for ambitious politicians for the chance to be photographed with a farm animal in order to show that they are proche du peuple (a man/woman of the people).
This year they faced an extra challenge – no cows.
Due to outbreaks of the highly contagious cattle virus Lumpy Skin Disease, cattle classes at the show were scrapped, so politicians were forced to make do with other animal photoshoots, with distinctly mixed results.
Bottom of the class was far right TV-pundit-turned-politician Eric Zemmour, pictured holding a rabbit and smiling in the style of Batman’s Joker.
French far-right Reconquete party leader Eric Zemmour holds a rabbit as he visits the Paris Salon de l’Agriculture. Photo by Anna KURTH / AFP
Mid table was former prime minister and possible 2027 centrist candidate Gabriel Attal, who looked only mildly uncomfortable holding a chunky piglet.
President of Ensemble Pour la Republique parliamentary group Gabriel Attal carries a pig during his visit to the Salon de l’Agriculture. Photo by Charlotte SIEMON / AFP
Meanwhile Salon veteran (and holder of the record for the longest ever presidential visit to the Show – 14 hours and 40 minutes), president Emmanuel Macron wisely stuck to the food and drink section.
The closest he got to being photographed with an animal was swallowing an oyster, before heading off to the wine and cheese stands.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron tastes wine at the Salon de l’Agriculture. Photo by Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP
But if the Salon was lacking in political photo opportunities (and visitors, sadly – organisers said visitor numbers were 25 percent down at the start of the week, likely due to a combination of the lack of cows, combined with the Paris school holidays), there was still drama.
Early in the week a brawl broke out at the nougat stand – reportedly after some drunken show-goers spat on the display nougat. Fifteen people were arrested and four are due to stand trial. One thing we have learned from the video of the brawl is that a traditional nougat knife is basically indistinguishable from a machete, so it’s probably wise not to annoy your local nougat retailer.
Diplomatic battles
There have also been brawls of a diplomatic nature this week – between the French government and the US Embassy.
It began when US government figures denounced what they called “terrorism” and left-wing violence in France after the fatal beating of Quentin Deranque. The US Embassy in France posted the remarks on social media, and translated them into French, breaking the convention that an ambassador does not comment publicly on the politics of their host country.
An angry Foreign Minister summoned US Ambassador Charles Kushner to explain himself, and he responded by poser un lapin (failing to show up).
This did not got down well with the French, who revoked Kushner’s access to members of the French government, saying: “In light of this apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission and the honour of representing one’s country, the Foreign Minister has requested that he (Kushner) no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government.”
Cue hasty backpedalling with Kushner calling Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and pledging not to interfere in French affairs again.
There has been much comment about Kushner not being a professional diplomat, but in fact this is normal for American Ambassadors – the appointment is a political one and ambassadors change when a new president is elected. The role is normally given to political allies of the new president, or people who have donated to their campaign.
Is there an interesting snippet about Charles Kushner’s life before he arrived in Paris?
Let’s see. Oh yes . . . he’s the one who in 2005 paid a prostitute to create a sex tape to use to blackmail his brother-in-law, who was giving evidence against him in a tax evasion case. He pleaded guilty to 18 offences, and spent several months in prison, but in 2020 was pardoned by Donald Trump, whose daughter Ivanka is married to Kushner’s son Jared.
Still, the grand old building on Paris’ Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré that serves as the US Ambassador’s residence has probably seen worse including, in 1834, a shootout between homeowner Michaela Almonaster y Roxas and her father-in-law, a man whom French historians intriguingly describe as being “without scruples”. Meanwhile during World War II the house served as a club for senior Nazi officers.
Talking France
The Talking France podcast is taking a break this week, since its host is sliding down an Alp somewhere, but will return next week. Meanwhile for politics fans, I really enjoyed this interview with UK-based French historian Emile Chabal on the upcoming elections, and why the Macronist project failed.
New podcast: @emile-chabal.bsky.social tells @jonathanervine.bsky.social about what may be in store for French politics in 2026 and beyond: they discuss the Macron presidency, the far right, and the countdown to the 2027 Presidential Elections. @asmcf.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/2dqD…
— Modern & Contemporary France (@francemodern.bsky.social) February 16, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Stunt of the week
‘Hang it in the Louvre’ has become an internet catchphrase for any image that is particularly newsworthy, important or funny – and activists from the anti-billionaire collective Everyone Hates Elon took it literally this week, hanging a copy of the arrest photo of the UK’s Andrew formerly known as Prince.
Activists from the anti-billionaire campaign group “Everyone Hates Elon” went to the Louvre museum in Paris where they hung a framed photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, taken by Reuters photographer Phil Noble on February 19.
— Reuters (@reuters.com) February 23, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Tedious pedant that I am, however, I must point out that the Louvre is for art created before the 1840s, so more correctly a modern classic like this would be hung in one of Paris’ contemporary art galleries – perhaps the Fondation Louis Vuitton while the Pompidou Centre is closed for renovation.
Video of the week
If you thought the French anthem La Marseillaise could not be bettered, I am here to tell you that it can be. This video of the French rugby team doing the anthem in sign language is now played on French TV during the pre-match anthems.
I did a workshop on French sign language during my time as a volunteer at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and we were instructed to involve the entire body when signing – looks like the lads got the memo.
Inside France is editor Emma Pearson’s weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.