Jeanne Roussel, new mayor of Villers-Cotterêts, outlines cultural strategy

In March 2026, Jeanne Roussel was elected mayor of Villers-Cotterêts, winning by a margin of 24 votes against the National Rally. She is dedicated to reconnecting the community with its heritage and recognizes the importance of culture in countering extremist voting. The Cité internationale de la langue française, located in the Château de Villers-Cotterêts, is perceived as elitist. Roussel intends to improve collaboration among cultural institutions and tackle the limited economic impact from the Cité, which is hindered by insufficient tourist accommodations. A hotel project announced in 2021 remains stalled. The cultural infrastructure is lacking, with outdated facilities, and the culture budget for 2025 is set at 6.84% of the operating budget. Roussel plans to promote François Ier and create a new Dumas space, supported by various funding initiatives, and restore free entry for local schoolchildren.