During Le Figaro's live broadcast on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the singer Bénabar shared his addictions with viewers: the suburbs, gastronomy, and... bibliophilia.

He leads journalist Thibaut Gauthier to his favorite places: Saint-Mandé, the town he holds dear, our bookstore where he is a regular customer, and "Le Grand Restaurant" belonging to his friend Jean-François Piège.

It is in the Le Feu Follet bookstore that the singer declares that "a song is saying what you think, not what people should think."

Surrounded by original works and manuscripts by the greatest writers and artists he reveres, the singer made some revelations: he is not a politically engaged singer. He has convictions, but no pretensions. He has an opinion but recognizes no authority to impose it. He says in essence—what audacity—that  a  singer is just a citizen.

But Bénabar had another message that evening. A commitment assumed, proclaimed, displayed, and shared: his love of books and written heritage, his passion for Balzac, Hugo, and for those copies they touched and which touched him.

First editions, copies inscribed by their authors—Bénabar, a detached artist as Desproges was before him, has taken sides with the poetic rather than the political.

Discover the complete interview with the author of Le Soleil des absents among the shelves of the Le Feu Follet bookstore, where the artist discusses his predilections rather than elections, and proclaims his love for language and the pen.