Gabriel Attal, leader of Renaissance, began a France tour on Sunday by attending the Foire au jambon in Bayonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The former prime minister sliced and handed out ham to gauge his « presidentiality » at this family-friendly festival. « A party leader is always campaigning », he said with a smile.
Gabriel Attal appeared in rolled-up sleeves behind a stall amid pink scarves at the Bayonne Ham Fair. He sliced Bayonne ham and distributed it to attendees, displaying early presidential campaign reflexes, though he stops short of fully embracing the label.
Following TV appearances promoting his book En homme libre (Éditions de l’Observatoire), the former prime minister selected this family-oriented, festive event for his first field outing. « A party leader is always campaigning », Attal said with a smile, confident his ex-premier notoriety works anytime, even amid drinks.
His team now aims to « convince of a path forward for the country », beyond friendly handshakes. This France tour starts in the Basque Country amid centrist rivals positioning for 2027.