France’s First Lady, a Confidante and Coach, May Break the Mold Some of these may be issues that Ms. Macron takes up as first lady, a role that is undefined in France and has no government-paid staff — and polls show the French public wants to keep it that way, said Robert Schneider, who wrote a book about first ladies in France. " Mr. Schneider said. that The role of first lady evolved as women in French society evolved, If she’s done that for him, great." Some women see the Macrons as breaking with a pattern of powerful men adorning themselves with younger women; others say French history is replete with examples of younger men seeking out older women, from Henri II’s affair with Diane de Poitiers in the 16th century on. Candice Nedelec, an author of a book on them, "Les Macron," said Mr. Macron would emerge backstage from a campaign appearance and reflexively ask, "Where’s Brigitte?" Mr. Macron has sometimes come off as wordy, theoretical or hard to follow. France being France, this unusual couple is already stirring a lively and erudite debate about sexism, ageism, masculinity, contemporary marriage, political stagecraft and what a modern French first lady should actually be.
