Departures of note

Philippe Bouvard was a French journalist, humorist, and broadcaster who became one of the most recognizable voices on French radio. Born in Coulommiers, he began his career in the press at Le Figaro in the early 1950s, later serving as editor-in-chief and editorialist at France-Soir, and writing for Paris Match and Le Point. He also authored dozens of books, plays, and film dialogues over a career spanning more than sixty years.

He is best remembered as the founding host of Les Grosses Têtes on RTL, which he presented from its creation in 1977 until 2014, making it the most-listened-to radio program in France. On television he produced and hosted Le Théâtre de Bouvard on Antenne 2 in the 1980s, which launched the careers of numerous French comedians, and later hosted Allô Bouvard on RTL until his retirement in 2025.

Bouvard was decorated as a Commander of the Order of the Crown and a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, and held a wax figure at the Musée Grévin. He died on 24 August 2026 at the age of 96.