Jeanne Roussel, new mayor of Villers-Cotterêts, aims to bridge culture and local community
Jeanne Roussel, a lawyer and former journalist, became mayor of Villers-Cotterêts in March 2026, narrowly defeating the far-right National Rally. The town is home to the Cité internationale de la langue française, but Roussel acknowledges that culture alone does not prevent extremist voting. She plans to make cultural institutions more accessible, citing that the Cité is perceived as elitist despite free admission schemes. Infrastructure is in poor condition: the cinema has lacked heating for eight years, the media library has leaks, and the Musée Dumas is too small. The cultural budget was 6.84% of the operating budget (€820,000 out of €12 million) in 2025, while investment spending was €12 million due to lack of city projects. Roussel aims to revive the Festival des arts de la rue (currently €20,000), create a larger Dumas center, and develop historical tours focusing on François I. She has appointed Cédric Saint-Sulpice as deputy for culture, heritage, and Francophonie. The mayor also seeks to restore free museum entry for local schoolchildren and hire a cultural mediator for primary schools. She emphasizes humility, having won by only 24 votes.
Key facts
- Jeanne Roussel became mayor of Villers-Cotterêts in March 2026.
- She defeated the far-right National Rally by a narrow margin.
- The town hosts the Cité internationale de la langue française.
- Roussel states culture does not protect against extremist voting but can help.
- The cinema has no heating for eight years; media library has leaks and no heating.
- Musée Dumas is too small and its building is deteriorating.
- Cultural budget in 2025 was 6.84% of operating budget (€820,000 out of €12 million).
- Investment budget was €12 million, with no city investment projects.
- Festival des arts de la rue budget is €20,000.
- Subsidies to cultural associations have been frozen at €45,000–47,000 for twelve years.
- Roussel appointed Cédric Saint-Sulpice as deputy for culture, heritage, and Francophonie.
- Plans include a larger Dumas center with bibliography, filmography, performance space, artist residencies, and research area.
- She aims to develop historical tours focusing on François I.
- Roussel wants to restore free museum entry for local schoolchildren and hire a cultural mediator.
- She won the election by only 24 votes.
Entities
Artists
- Alexandre Dumas
- François Ier
- Erik Orsenna
- James Noël
Institutions
- Cité internationale de la langue française
- Centre des monuments nationaux
- Musée Dumas
- médiathèque Alexandre-Dumas
- Festival Des Mets et des Mots
- Festival des arts de la rue
- DRAC
- Département de l'Aisne
Locations
- Villers-Cotterêts
- France
- Aisne