FranceOwnership & classification
Founded: 1826
Ownership
Le Figaro is published by Société du Figaro, the core of Groupe Figaro, which is controlled by the Dassault family's Dassault Group (Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault). The late industrialist and conservative senator Serge Dassault took control of publisher Socpresse from the Hersant family between 2004 and 2006, and the Dassault family holding still owns the paper (roughly 80% via Groupe Figaro). The Dassault Group's primary business is aerospace/defence (Dassault Aviation).
Funding
Financed commercially through advertising, newsstand sales and a growing digital subscription/paywall business, plus diversified revenue from Groupe Figaro's classifieds and lifestyle properties. It also benefits from France's general press-aid subsidies available to all national dailies.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially conservative and centre-right, long the reference paper of the French right, but it is privately and commercially owned by an industrial family with no party or state control over its newsroom. That private ownership and commercial funding make it INDEPENDENT, despite a clear right-leaning editorial line.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 844
80/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
1171
Articles
1149
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
After Verstappen's crash in the first round, Antonelli dominates the debates against Norris in the Netherlands
The Formula 1 race at Zandvoort has been marked by several incidents and strategic moves. Max Verstappen crashed during the first lap, leading to delays and safety checks. Kimi Antonelli emerged as a strong contender, taking the lead ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Meanwhile, George Russell made an early pit stop to avoid being caught out later by the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Pierre Gasly was the sole French driver scoring points, finishing eighth, while Esteban Ocon narrowly missed the points, ending up 12th. Isack Hadjar, who had previously achieved historic success as the youngest French driver on a podium last year, was unable to compete due to an injury and was replaced by Liam Lawson.
Journal of the Mercado: Lille set a new record with Bouaddi, Makengo wants to join the ASM, Nice brings back Wahi
The article reports on several transfer developments in French football. Ayyoub Bouaddi, a defender from Fribourg, is set to join Manchester City in a potential €100 million deal, marking a historic transfer for Lille. Lille has also signed goalkeeper Orlando Gill from San Lorenzo for €3.6 million. AS Monaco is pursuing Jordy Makengo, a defender from Fribourg, while Elye Wahi is close to returning to Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt after a stint at Francfort.
Formula 1: Max Verstappen crashes in Zandvoort and is forced to retire on the first lap (video)
During the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, Max Verstappen suffered a severe crash during the first lap. His Red Bull slid on a wet track, collided with safety barriers, and hit the wall, forcing him to retire immediately. The race was halted shortly after the incident, with all other cars returning to their pits. Verstappen, a four-time world champion and national hero, emerged unharmed from his damaged vehicle. This marks the final edition of the Dutch Grand Prix before its removal from the Formula 1 calendar in 2027 due to cost concerns. Verstappen has faced challenges this season, currently sixth in the championship standings.
Presidential 2027: What is the ologiecological conscription that Jean-Luc Mélenchon wants to create?
During his closing speech at the LFI summer universities held in Châteauneuf-sur-Isère on August 23, 2026, Jean-Luc Mélenchon introduced the concept of 'conscription écologique' as part of his presidential campaign platform for 2027. He emphasized the urgency of climate change, citing recent wildfires and other environmental crises, and proposed a system where young people under 25 would undergo ecological training and perform public utility tasks such as disaster relief, environmental protection, and supporting charitable organizations. This idea builds on previous proposals like 'conscription citoyenne' from 2022, which involved nine months of service paid at the minimum wage. The proposal remains vague but reflects Mélenchon’s broader vision of integrating ecological responsibility into civic duty.
At the age of 14, Lila, the daughter of Mélissa Theuriau and Jamel Debbouze, reveals her singing talents on television
Lila, la fille de Mélissa Theuriau et Jamel Debbouze, a participé au premier épisode de la saison 12 de «The Voice Kids», où elle a chanté 'Hoplessly devoted to you' et a rejoint l'équipe de Patrick Fiori. À 14 ans, elle a impressionné les juges avec sa prestation. La jeune fille, passionnée de comédie musicale, étudie au collège Rognoni à Paris, spécialisé dans la formation des jeunes artistes. Son père, Jamel Debbouze, a mentionné son ambition de devenir une comédienne musicale comme Louane. Lila a déjà joué dans une comédie musicale en 2023 et a participé à un casting sous un faux nom.
California: French tourist dies in Death Valley, trapped by extreme heat
A French tourist, Pierre Michel Formosa, aged 68, died after becoming stranded in Death Valley National Park, California, during a heatwave. He and his companion were driving along West Side Road when their vehicle got stuck. With no other vehicles nearby, they decided to walk towards Badwater Road for assistance. The temperature reached 47°C, and after walking approximately two kilometers, Formosa was unable to continue. His companion continued alone, eventually reaching Badwater Road where he flagged down a passing driver and reported the incident. Search and rescue operations by park rangers and sheriff’s deputies located Formosa later in the afternoon, but he had already passed away. The exact cause of death remains under investigation. Officials have expressed condolences to the family and emphasized the dangers of visiting Death Valley, urging visitors to prepare adequately with water, supplies, and communication devices.
Wartime elections would 'destroy' Ukraine, says Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that holding elections during the ongoing war with Russia would pose significant risks to Ukraine, rejecting calls from his former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov who advocated for wartime presidential elections. Zelensky emphasized that elections during active conflict could destabilize the country, comparing them to a 'tsunami' that might divide Ukraine. The dispute emerged amid a political crisis following Zelensky's dismissal of Fedorov, which sparked protests and internal military tensions. Fedorov, known for supporting drone warfare strategies, suggested organizing elections despite the challenges posed by Russian attacks, refugee populations, and logistical hurdles. Public opinion remains divided, with only 15% believing elections should occur before the war ends. Zelensky criticized Fedorov during a press briefing, suggesting his actions were misguided, while Fedorov plans to visit the U.S., raising questions about potential political rivalry.
"We must be discreet, so as not to endanger our careers": who are the "Phrygians", this anonymous circle close to France Insoumise
The article reports on a secret network of approximately eighty high-ranking civil servants, referred to as 'Phrygiens,' who are working discreetly to support the political rise of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the France Insoumise movement. These officials, spread across various state ministries including Bercy and the Quai d'Orsay, create internal documents and offer their expertise to bolster Mélenchon’s chances of winning power. The group was formed in May 2026 after Mélenchon announced his candidacy, with members self-organizing and selecting leaders to manage the network. They aim to legitimize the movement’s ability to govern and implement radical policies. The article notes that this practice is not unique to France Insoumise, as other parties like the National Rally have similar networks, such as the 'Horaces.'
Rennes-PSG: the Parisian group without Barcola or Mbaye but with the recruits Ferran Torres and Mika Godts
Le Figaro rapporte que le Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) n’a pas inclus Bradley Barcola et Ibrahim Mbaye dans son groupe pour le match contre Rennes, prévu dimanche soir. Les deux joueurs, en instance de départ, ne participeront donc pas à ce match, qui s’est déroulé à Rennes en raison d’un problème de pelouse au Parc des Princes. D’autres joueurs comme Senny Mayulu restent également à Paris. Cependant, les supporters peuvent suivre les débuts de Ferran Torres, récent arrivé au PSG, ainsi que ceux de Mika Godts, également recruté. Le match a eu lieu à 20h45.
Badminton: Alex Lanier, the first Frenchman to be crowned world champion
French badminton players Alex Lanier and the mixed doubles pair Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel won world championship titles at the Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, India. In the men's singles category, 21-year-old Alex Lanier became the first French player to win a world title in singles, defeating Japan's Kodai Naraoka in straight sets. This achievement marks a significant milestone for French badminton, which has been rapidly rising in international rankings despite being dominated by Asian countries like China and South Korea. In the mixed doubles event, Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel defeated top-ranked Chinese duo Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping after a closely contested match, marking another historic victory for French badminton. The success highlights the growing competitiveness of French athletes in a traditionally Asian-dominated sport.
Budget: these tricks that the government can use to raise taxes by promising the opposite
The article discusses the French government’s approach to fiscal policy ahead of the 2027 budget law. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has publicly committed to maintaining fiscal stability, stating there will be 'no increase' in taxes. However, the article highlights that various ministries have already submitted proposals for tax measures, which are now under review by the Ministry of Economy (Bercy). Despite his public stance, Lecornu faces pressure to make decisions on these proposals before the deadline. The piece notes that while details remain scarce, the government is expected to balance its commitments with necessary financial adjustments.
'Any help is welcome', says Jean-Luc Mélenchon to Marine Tondelier
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader du mouvement La France Insoumise, a affirmé lors d'une interview sur TF1 que toute aide extérieure serait la bienvenue pour son parti, notamment face à Marine Tondelier des écologistes. Il a souligné que les partis de gauche, tels que les socialistes et les Verts, n'avaient encore pas défini leur stratégie ou choisi leurs candidats à seulement six mois de distance des élections. Mélenchon a également défendu sa vision d'un État écologique, appelant à la création d'«éco-régions» chargées de prévention, de réparation et de vigilance environnementale. Il a critiqué la mentalité «défaitiste» selon laquelle ses électeurs ne pourraient jamais gagner, rappelant qu'ils avaient été très proches de battre Marine Le Pen lors des dernières élections.
Eduard Philippe in Mayotte: high expectations and confidence to be restored - Overseas The 1st
The article discusses Édouard Philippe's visit to Mayotte, highlighting the strong expectations placed upon him as the French minister responsible for overseas territories. It emphasizes the need to rebuild trust among local populations, who have expressed concerns over governance and development. The piece underscores the challenges faced by the region, including economic disparities and social issues, while noting the importance of effective leadership in addressing these matters. No specific policies or outcomes of the visit are detailed, focusing instead on the broader implications of his presence and the hopes of the community.