Pierre Péan

About Pierre Péan

Pierre Péan is one of the most well-known and recognised investigators in France for the quality of his investigations.

He was born in Sablé-sur-Sarthe on 5 March 1938 to a hairdresser father. After secondary studies in Catholic education, he obtained a law degree in the economic sciences section in Angers, and a DES in Paris.

From 1962 to 1964, he was an attaché in the cabinet of the Minister of Finance of Gabon, then head of service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Gabon.

After three years in real estate, Pierre Péan became a journalist at AFP, before becoming a Grand reporter at L’Express (1970-1974), then at Le Nouvel Economiste (1974-1982).

He was subsequently a lecturer at the University of Paris III (1985-1988), before a stint at Libération and then becoming a full-time writer.

Pierre Péan is behind major scoops that have had a great impact in France and sometimes abroad: the Giscard diamonds affair, “African Affairs”, the affair of the sniffing planes, how France gave the atomic bomb to Israel, the counter-investigation into the attack on the UTA DC10, the past of François Mitterrand, two investigations on TF1 and the newspaper Le Monde, several investigations on the Rwandan tragedy, a shocking book on Bernard Kouchner and recently a book on corruption in France.

Pierre Péan gathered the confidences of François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac, but also of many foreign (Omar Bongo, Sassou Nguesso…) and French leaders.

He collaborated with many media, including AFP, L’Express, Le Nouvel Economiste, Libération, Le Monde Diplomatique, Fortune France, Soir 3, Europe 1…

He initiated or participated in many documentaries, the latest, Manipulations. A French story, broadcast on France 5, was praised by the press.

Among his recent publications: Marcel Dassault or the wings of power, in collaboration with Guy Vadepied (Fayard, 2003); The Hidden Face of the World. From counter-power to abuses of power, in collaboration with Philippe Cohen (Mille et une nuits, 2003); Main basse sur Alger: investigation into a plundering, July 1830 (Plon, 2004); Black Furies, White Liars: Rwanda 1990-1994 (Mille et une nuits, 2005); The Unknown of the Élysée (Fayard, 2007); A French Wound (Fayard, 2008); The World According to K. (Fayard, 2009); Carnages. The secret wars of the great powers in Africa (Fayard, 2010); The Republic of Briefcases. Investigation into the French principality of non-law (Fayard, 2011)

In preparation: a book on Kosovo, with Sébastien Fontenelle.