A Vacation That Sparks Controversy
The photographs published by the magazine Paris Match on August 14, 2026, show French President Emmanuel Macron riding the waters of the Mediterranean on a jet ski and practicing surf foil, a discipline where the board lifts above the water thanks to an underwater fin. The images, taken at the presidential summer residence of Fort de Brégançon on the French Riviera, were released while France is going through an extreme season: five heatwaves, severe drought, and wildfires already classified as the worst since 1949.
The magazine cover, showing Macron enjoying his last days of rest before leaving the Élysée Palace in 2027, was immediately criticized by the opposition. Environmental leader Marine Tondelier, a presidential candidate, ironically posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Have you seen my huge jet ski, how fast it goes?” and added: “In the middle of an apocalyptic summer, our president treats himself to a promotional report of his vacation.” Tondelier also pointed out that the country has suffered “thousands of deaths” due to the heatwaves and historic wildfires.
“While France burns and a part of the French people couldn't go on vacation, the president is having fun on a jet ski. Is that the message? It's quite a success.” — Olivier Faure, First Secretary of the Socialist Party.
Criticism Across the Political Spectrum
Socialist leader Olivier Faure also joined the criticism with a message on X: “During the heatwave, when France burns, when a part of the French people couldn't go on vacation, the president has fun on a jet ski in Brégançon. Is that the message? What a success.” From the Communist Party, Senator Pierre Ouzoulias called the images “indecent” and stated he would have preferred to see the president “in a fire truck helping put out the fire.”
Even the far-right spoke out. National Rally MP Edwige Diaz told Franceinfo that she understands the images “might have been shocking”, but considered that there are “more important issues” and that she prefers Macron to “be effective throughout the year.”
The Élysée's Response
The presidential entourage tried to downplay the controversy. They claimed that the photographer had no authorized access to do the report and recalled that, since Macron came to power in 2017, unauthorized photos are published every summer during his vacations. The article accompanying the images notes that, despite the recreational activities, Macron spends much of the day on the phone and has an office ready at Brégançon to continue his duties.
A Déjà Vu: The 2022 Controversy
The episode revives the memory of an almost identical controversy that occurred in August 2022. On that occasion, Macron was also photographed on a jet ski while France fought devastating wildfires and suffered a severe heatwave. The images caused a great stir because just weeks earlier the president had asked the French people for a “solidarity effort” to reduce energy consumption, amid the crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and fears of a gas supply cut. Green MP Sandrine Rousseau went as far as saying the images confirmed that Macron “doesn't understand climate change” and that, facing the environmental emergency, “it is criminal not to understand it.” Jet skis consume several times more fuel than a family car, a fact that fueled accusations of “eco-hypocrisy” against the president.
Context: An Extreme Summer
France is experiencing one of the toughest summers in its recent history. According to data released by the media, the country has recorded five heatwaves that have left thousands dead (authorities have not given official figures, but health services report excess mortality). Furthermore, drought affects a large part of the territory and wildfires have ravaged thousands of hectares, especially in the Gironde department, where the fire was classified as the worst since 1949. The climate crisis is a central issue in public debate, and the image of the president enjoying luxurious water activities contrasts with the reality of many citizens who cannot afford a vacation.
A President with Rising Support, Yet Under Scrutiny
Despite the criticism, Macron has seen his image slightly improve in recent months. According to the latest Elabe poll for Les Echos, his support rose to 24%, five points higher than in January and ten more than last October, when he hit a historic low of 14%. Another poll by the CSA institute for Journal du Dimanche places him at 28%. The French value his performance on the international stage, such as his role in the Iran crisis or the conflict in Ukraine. However, he remains, along with François Hollande, the worst-rated French president of the Fifth Republic. With presidential elections eight months away, these are his last vacations as head of state, and the jet ski episode could take a toll on his attempt to consolidate a legacy.
Original Sources
You can check the original reports that served as a basis for this article at the following links: Infobae, El País, and La Nación.