Brief
Englishwoman Maureen Searle elected mayor of French village Mont‑Saint‑Éloi
The 71‑year‑old former pharmacist won a landslide vote in the Pays d'Artois commune, despite some local opposition.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Maureen Searle, 71, was elected mayor of Mont‑Saint‑Éloi in northern France, becoming the first British woman to hold the office in the country, Daily Mail reported on 8 October 2026.
What happened
Searle moved to the village in 2000 with her English husband and became a French citizen. After serving as a councillor for years, she succeeded the previous mayor, who fell ill, and was elected in the spring of 2026. She won the election by a landslide, despite some residents referring to her as “L’Anglaise” during the campaign.
What the reports add
The article notes that the village, overlooked by the ruined towers of the 7th‑century Mont Saint‑Éloi Abbey, is a picturesque rural community in the Pays d'Artois region, about 45 minutes from Lille and 15 minutes from Arras. Locals praised her devotion, with 75‑year‑old Alain Cogez saying she is “devoted to this community,” and 33‑year‑old Amandine Kayndaszyk calling her “dynamic” and a “breath of fresh air.”
What was said
Searle told The Times, “Overnight I became Madame la Maire, but I say to everyone, ‘just call me Maureen.’” She added to Connexion France that the role is “a huge privilege” and that residents have “trusted a British woman to manage projects in France.”
How it came about
Having spent her childhood in Oxfordshire, lived in several countries, and worked as a pharmacist and English teacher, Searle integrated into French life, learning to speak French without an English accent. Her election marks a milestone for British expatriates in French local politics.
Key facts
- Maureen Searle, 71, became the first British female mayor in France. (dailymail.co.uk)
- She was elected in the spring of 2026 after serving as a local councillor. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Residents described her as devoted and dynamic despite some opposition. (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “The French village being run by an ENGLISH mayor”
