Jean-François Fountaine

Jean-François Fountaine is a French politician and entrepreneur who served as the Mayor of La Rochelle from 2014 until his resignation in June 2025. A former competitive sailor and Olympic athlete, he co-founded the Fountaine-Pajot shipyard, which became a global leader in catamaran construction. Throughout his political career, he has served as a regional councilor and held various leadership roles within the La Rochelle urban community. Although he was previously associated with the Socialist Party, he later pursued an independent political path, supporting figures such as Emmanuel Macron. He remains active in local governance as the President of the Agglomeration Community of La Rochelle and a member of the municipal council.