In a shocking revelation, Hélène Perlant, the daughter of French Prime Minister François Bayrou, has disclosed that she was a victim of severe violence during a summer camp organized by a religious congregation linked to the Notre-Dame de Bétharram institution. This distressing account emerged in an interview with Paris Match on April 22, 2025, and is also detailed in the forthcoming book "Le Silence de Bétharram," authored by Alain Esquerre, the spokesperson for a collective of victims from the institution.
Perlant, now 53, recounted an incident from her adolescence, stating that at the age of 14, she was violently assaulted by a priest named Father Lartiguet, who died in 2000. "One evening, while we were unpacking our sleeping bags, Lartiguet suddenly grabbed me by the hair, dragged me across the ground for several meters, and beat me with punches and kicks all over my body, especially in the stomach," she recalled. The traumatic event left her so distressed that she wet herself and spent the night in her sleeping bag in a state of shock.
In her interview, Perlant expressed that she had never confided in her father about these incidents, stating, "He doesn’t know that I am a victim, and he doesn’t know that I am going to testify as a victim." She reflected on her silence, suggesting it stemmed from a desire to protect her father from political fallout, saying, "I may have wanted to protect him, unconsciously, from the political blows he was facing locally." This revelation has left her father, who has been accused of not acting on previous reports of abuse at the institution, in a precarious position.
François Bayrou, who has served as a prominent political figure and was previously the mayor of Pau, has denied any knowledge of the physical and sexual assaults that have come to light. He is scheduled to appear before a parliamentary inquiry commission on May 14, 2025, to address the allegations surrounding the Notre-Dame de Bétharram institution, where over 200 former students have reported abuse.
Earlier this month, claims surfaced from a former gendarme and an ex-judge suggesting that Bayrou intervened in the first rape complaint against a religious figure at the establishment. However, the Prime Minister has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that he was unaware of the abuses that took place.
In her book, Perlant aims to shed light on what she describes as a "Bétharram system"—a closed and silent world where shame silenced victims for decades. She stated, "We will no longer live as before, Alain. We will never again take our children back to the ogres." This powerful statement underscores the urgency for victims to speak out and for the truth to emerge.
The impact of Perlant's revelations has been profound, prompting reactions from various quarters. Alexandre Perez, a member of the victims' collective and a local elected official, described the testimony as a "detonation" that has left many in shock. He noted that during a previous meeting with victims, Bayrou had expressed relief that his own children were not affected, highlighting the disconnect between his public persona and the reality faced by many.
In a poignant moment during her interview, Perlant reflected on the collective silence that has shrouded the experiences of many victims. She stated, "The question is one of individual and collective denial, not of lying." This sentiment echoes the broader struggle for acknowledgment and justice faced by those who have suffered in silence.
As the narrative unfolds, the focus remains on the systemic issues within the institution and the urgent need for accountability. The forthcoming book "Le Silence de Bétharram" is set to provide further insights into the experiences of survivors and the culture of silence that has prevailed for so long.
Amidst the turmoil, Hélène Perlant's courage to speak out marks a significant turning point in the fight for justice. Her story not only sheds light on her personal trauma but also serves as a rallying cry for other victims to share their experiences. As the parliamentary inquiry looms, all eyes will be on François Bayrou, who must navigate the political ramifications of his daughter's revelations while addressing the serious allegations against the institution he once supported.
The shadows of the past are increasingly difficult to ignore, and as more voices join the chorus of those demanding justice, the hope is that the truth will finally prevail. The journey of healing and accountability for the victims of Bétharram has only just begun.
