Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres Former Minister of Culture

Biography

A graduate of Sciences Po Paris and a former student of the École nationale d’Administration (ENA, Voltaire class), Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres began his career in the prefectural corps before joining the Conseil d’État.

He subsequently joined François Léotard’s staff at the Ministry of Culture and Communication and later at the Ministry of Defense from 1993 to 1995.

Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres was elected Member of Parliament for Indre-et-Loire in 1997 and again in 2002.

In 2002, he was appointed Minister Delegate for European Affairs, then Minister of Culture and Communication from 2004 to 2007 under President Jacques Chirac, in the governments of Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Dominique de Villepin. Among his achievements as minister were: the Louvre Lens, the signing of the Louvre Abu Dhabi agreement, the creation of the Grand Palais public institution, the construction of the Philharmonie de Paris, and the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM) in Marseille, among others.

In 2007, he was appointed Ambassador for Cultural Affairs during the French Presidency of the European Union.

He then joined the Allard Group as Advisor to the President for Strategy, Development, and Culture from 2009 to 2011, focusing in particular on a project to restore the Hôtel de la Marine.

He also chaired the Board of Directors of Atout France, the French tourism development agency, from 2009 to 2012.

In January 2012, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres founded his own consulting firm, specializing in public and cultural affairs, RDDV Partner, which he heads.

Between 2019 and 2024, he also served as President of the association Visa pour l’Image, which notably organizes the international photojournalism festival in Perpignan.

Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Fondation Louis Vuitton for Creation.

Immerse in the Paris Opera universe

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