Macron Family Macaron Shop Guarded During French Riots, Sparking Outrage
Elite police units were deployed to protect a confectionery store owned by the French President's wife's family while other businesses were targeted, leading to accusations of preferential treatment.
A significant police presence was reportedly established around French President Emmanuel Macron's family macaron shop during recent anti-government unrest, while other businesses faced looting and damage. The "Jean Trogneux" confectionery store, located in Macron's hometown of Amiens, was allegedly surrounded by elite Republican Security Companies (CRS) officers, according to reports.
The shop was founded in 1872 by the father of Brigitte Macron, the French President's wife. The family business, known for its macarons, continues to contribute to the family's income. The current management of the store is handled by Brigitte Macron's great-nephew, Jean-Baptiste Trogneux, who reportedly faced an assault by rioters in May 2023 while attempting to protect the establishment.
The deployment of police resources to protect the Trogneux shop drew criticism, particularly from within law enforcement. The Alliance Police Union questioned the allocation of resources, posting online, "Mr. Macron, the Republic is not your private property." The union further asked, "Remind us, Mr. President – do all French people have a right to the same level of protection?"
Reports suggest that the CRS unit was specifically instructed to guard the shop. However, the Prefecture of the Somme department, which includes Amiens, denied that CRS personnel were exclusively assigned to protect the Trogneux shop. A statement from the prefecture asserted that a company of CRS was urgently deployed to Amiens to reinforce local forces and ensure the security of all businesses in the city center, citing attempts by "hundreds of hostile individuals" to breach barricades protecting the shopping streets.
The controversy emerged as France experienced widespread protests and riots, with an estimated 2,000 shops and businesses reportedly targeted. The unrest followed weeks of demonstrations initially by students protesting the education system, later joined by other groups, including the Yellow Vests movement.
Earlier in the period of unrest, President Macron and his wife faced criticism for attending a concert by singer Céline Dion shortly after the disturbances began. Their presence at the event in a private box was compared by some to a "Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette moment," referencing the French monarchy during the 1789 Revolution.
