Feminist activists from the Femen group disrupted, Sunday May 10, 2026, a ceremony paying tribute to Joan of Arc organized by the RN town hall in Carcassonne in Aude. They interrupted the mayor’s speech. The action lasted a few seconds in front of around 200 people gathered in front of the cathedral.
A ceremony in tribute to Joan of Arc was disrupted on Sunday May 10 in Carcassonne, Aude. It was organized by the RN town hall. She stood in front of Saint-Michel Cathedral. Around 200 people were present. At the time of Mayor Christophe Barthès’ speech, several women in the crowd took action.
They went topless. They shouted several slogans. The demonstration lasted only a few seconds. The ceremony then resumed its course and continued until its end. According to our colleagues from the Independent, these activists from the Femen organization were quickly arrested.
The Femen France movement then claimed responsibility for the action. A message was published on Facebook. The collective explains that four activists took part in the ceremony. They were disguised as Joan of Arc. They claim to want to denounce political recovery. “FEMINISTS, NOT FASCISTS!” et “FEMEN, NOT RN!”they wrote.
Jeanne killed the invaders, not the foreigners, the homeless or the students! FEMEN denounces these acts of intimidation, these fascistic outbursts and this low-level populism which have no place in a democracy!
Facebook message from Femen France
They directly target the municipality and its mayor. They denounce a political use of Joan of Arc. “These modern amazons seek to denounce the populist policies of the new RN mayor of Carcassonne”they write. The activists also refer to Jean-Marie Le Pen. They recall his use of Joan of Arc as a political symbol.
In its message, the Femen collective goes further. He criticizes several decisions of the town hall since the election of mayor RN. He mentions in particular the removal of the European flag from the town hall and an order against begging. He also cites tensions with associations and students.
The activists also point out the threats of the new municipality against several unions, which could be deprived of premises after their participation in a parade against the extreme right. “These acts of intimidation and these authoritarian-type provocations have no place in a democracy”they write. Contacted by us, Carcassonne town hall has not yet responded.
On the other hand, the City widely communicated about this ceremony, the first of its kind in Carcassonne, instituted by the new majority. The statue of Joan of Arc was restored and reinstalled on the square in front of Saint-Michel Cathedral, in homage to the “patriotism” of the Maid of Orléans, of which the RN has long made a symbol. On its Facebook page, the municipality reports on the progress of this commemoration, without mentioning the intervention of Femen.
Joan of Arc is described as “a girl of the people”a figure who embodies France’s ability to get back up in difficult times.
The mayor (RN) Christophe Barthès was present with elected officials. The Municipal Harmony and the Carcassonne Choirs also participated. A religious service was celebrated after the ceremony.
