Max HeyraudPresident Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to nominate French house music, also known as the “French Touch”, for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Speaking on radio station FG during Fête de la Musique, France’s nationwide celebration of music, Macron said the genre deserves global recognition, just as Germany’s Berlin techno scene was added to its national heritage list in 2024.
“We’re going to do that too,” Macron said. “We are the inventors of electro. We have that French Touch.” He may be right about the French having a flair for creating funk-laden house, but he is certainly wrong about them inventing electro.
French house, which emerged in the 1990s, is known for its disco and funk influences, filtered effects, and heavy sampling of ’70s and ’80s tracks. Artists like Daft Punk, Justice, Bob Sinclar, Cassius and Alan Braxe brought the genre international acclaim.
Macron’s wife, Brigitte, is reportedly a fan of the genre. Producer Kavinsky said she invited him to perform at the Élysée Palace in 2018 and regularly listens to his music.
UNESCO’s heritage list highlights cultural practices and traditions that help define national identity. France already has several entries, including baguette baking, falconry, and Parisian roof craftsmanship.