Catherine Pégard, at the 42nd edition of the European Heritage Days, in the Loire Valley town of Pontlevoy, on September 19, 2025. ELIOT BLONDET/AFP
Catherine Pégard will leave her spartan culture adviser's office, tucked away on the first floor of the Elysée Palace's west wing, to take the helm at the Culture Ministry, according to a statement by the presidency on Thursday, February 26. At 71, the former political journalist, who served on Nicolas Sarkozy's staff at the presidency from 2007 to 2011, and then led the Château de Versailles for over 12 years, has become the third person to serve as culture minister during President Emmanuel Macron's second term. With the next presidential election only a year away, she will likely be the last.
Three other new ministers have also joined the government: Former urban development minister (July 2023-September 2024) Sabrina Agresti-Roubache returned as junior minister for vocational education, professional training, and apprenticeships. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon kept her title and also became junior energy minister. Finally, Camille Galliard-Minier, a presidential party MP, was appointed as junior minister for autonomy and people with disabilities, replacing Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq.
