Christophe Lecourtier has been appointed as the new French Ambassador to the United States, succeeding Philippe Étienne. The appointment was confirmed by the French government and accepted by the U.S. State Department in early 2026.
Lecourtier is a career diplomat who most recently served as the CEO of Business France, the national agency supporting international business development. He has held several high-level positions, including diplomatic advisor to former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and ambassador to South Korea from 2015 to 2019.
His appointment comes at a critical time for Franco-American relations, which encompass trade, security cooperation, and joint efforts on global challenges. Lecourtier's extensive experience in economic diplomacy is seen as a key asset for this role.
The ambassador-designate is expected to take up his post in Washington, D.C., following the completion of standard diplomatic formalities. He will be tasked with representing France's interests and strengthening the bilateral partnership.
