Full Breakdown
Banquets géants in Colmar spark political controversy
6/6/2026, 9:07:22 PM
Banquet
Last weekend, about 3,500 people gathered in a hangar on the outskirts of Colmar, Alsace, for a “banquet géant” organized by Le Canon Français. The event has sparked political controversy.
History
Le Canon Français was founded by Pierre-Alexandre de Boisse and Géraud de la Tour, who began selling wine online to help a winegrower during the pandemic. They later expanded into fundraising events, creating the banquets. De Boisse describes them as reviving “banquets populaires,” meals from the post-Revolutionary era.
Figures
Key figures include de Boisse, the organizer; Pierre-Edouard Stérin, a billionaire investor holding 30 % of Le Canon Français; and Emma Fourreau, an MEP for La France Insoumise (LFI).
Organizers
De Boisse says the banquets run under a charter signed by ticket buyers that sets conduct rules. Tickets cost €81 for four courses, wine and singing, and profit drew Pierre-Edouard Stérin, who bought a 30 % stake. He rejects claims the menu serves only pork, noting charcuterie is traditional but not exclusive, and dismisses the alleged Nazi salute as “total nonsense.” Police opened a probe in Caen on alleged racial provocation, and Quimper authorities have halted similar events.
LFI
LFI alleges the banquets feature racist chanting, insults toward immigrant staff, and a menu that excludes Muslims and vegetarians. It links the events to Stérin’s right-wing think-tank, arguing they advance far-right. Fourreau calls the banquets “backward-looking – a caricature” that fails to represent modern France.
Reports
Attendees described the atmosphere as convivial, citing “atmosphere, friends, alcohol and food,” and sang French songs by Michel Delpech and Joe Dassin, reporting no offensive language. The crowd was mainly white. Reports differ on whether racist chants or a Nazi salute occurred; organizers deny such incidents, while LFI cites “evidence” without specifics. No recordings were presented, and the team heard no offensive language.
Quotes
- “Nowadays people waste so much of their time alone, in their homes, on social media. They've lost the habit of being together and talking. What gives us the most pleasure is when we see the lawyer sitting next to the baker, chatting away.” — Pierre-Alexandre de Boisse, organizer
- “If they were in good faith, Le Canon Français would never have accepted Stérin as an investor. But they did – they took his money.” — Emma Fourreau, LFI MEP
- “We come for four things: atmosphere, friends, alcohol and food.” — Young attendee, Colmar banquet
- “They don't represent modern France, which is a place rich in its diversity.” — Emma Fourreau, LFI MEP
Future
Police investigations in Caen continue to examine alleged racial provocation. Quimper authorities have suspended a banquet, and LFI plans to press councils elsewhere to ban the events before next elections.
