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French mayor bans foie gras from Christmas market
‘Just because a practice has existed for a long time does not mean it should be exempt from being questioned’
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Those who are fans of foie gras and have been looking forward to buying it at a Christmas market alongside a hot glass of wine will no longer be able to do so in one southern France commune.
The mayor of Fréjus, in Var, has banned the sale and consumption of foie gras at his commune’s Christmas market, saying the traditional production method involves animal cruelty.
David Rachline, mayor of Fréjus and a member of the Rassemblement National, announced the decision on X on November 3.
“This year, we want to make changes to our Christmas market so that it fully reflects our commitments to animal welfare,” he said.
🎄 Un marché de Noël plus respectueux du bien-être animal Cette année, nous voulons faire évoluer notre marché de Noël pour qu’il soit pleinement en accord avec les engagements que nous prenons en faveur du bien-être animal. Le foie gras sera totalement exclu du marché de Noël de Fréjus et sera remplacé par le Happy Foie, une alternative au foie gras traditionnel, élaborée sans gavage. Car le gavage relève de la maltraitance : il consiste à forcer une oie ou un canard à avaler d’importantes quantités de nourriture à l’aide d’un tube enfoncé dans la gorge, plusieurs fois par jour. Nous allons également encourager les commerçants et exposants à privilégier des produits issus de filières éthiques, responsables et respectueuses du bien-être animal. À Fréjus, nous voulons faire évoluer concrètement nos pratiques et montrer qu’il est possible de préserver nos traditions tout en donnant une place toujours plus importante au respect du vivant.
— David Rachline (@david_rachline) November 3, 2026
The Christmas market, which runs from December 5 to January 2, 2027, will replace foie gras with Happy Foie, an alternative to the traditional product made without force-feeding.
He said force-feeding, known in French as gavage, is animal cruelty. The process involves making ducks or geese swallow large quantities of food through a tube inserted into their throats.
“The pleasure of a meal – does it justify imposing such suffering on an animal when an alternative exists?” he asked in a video posted on Instagram.
Mr Rachline also said the municipality would encourage traders and stallholders to choose products from “ethical, responsible supply chains that respect animal welfare”.
“Just because a practice has existed for a long time does not mean it should be exempt from being questioned,” he said.
“Our traditions can evolve without losing their soul, and our humanity grows when we refuse to look away,” he added.
His measures in favour of animal protection do not stop at the Christmas market either.
They also include plans to ban hunting on municipal land, refusing to host circuses with animals and not holding bullfights in the commune’s arena.
Mr Rachline also pointed to a vegetarian menu served at a municipal reception as another example of efforts to change local practices.
“I do not claim to change everyone's convictions in a day. But I refuse to wait until everyone agrees before taking action,” he said.
To support his position, he referred to an Ifop, a French public opinion institute, survey which found that 74% of French people considered it unjustified to make animals suffer in the name of tradition.
A separate, more recent survey, published in February 2026, by Ifop for the Fondation 30 Millions d'Amis put the figure at 79%.
“The way we see things evolves as we learn more,” he said.
The announcement has been well received by many on social media, with users congratulating Mr Rachline and welcoming the decision. Some commenters also expressed pride in having him as their mayor.
“Even on a subject as divisive as this one, Fréjus will stand by its choices and will always stay one step ahead,” he said.
