It is now a matter of national record: Daft Punk, Air, Cassius, Justice, and the legendary Jean-Michel Jarre have been formally recognized as the architectural pillars of French modern culture.
In a landmark decision, electronic music has been officially inducted into France’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This designation serves as a formal acknowledgment of the genre’s vital role in sculpting the nation’s contemporary artistic identity.
“Electronic music has earned its rightful place within our national intangible heritage,” stated French Culture Minister Rachida Dati. This follows the ministry’s recent reclassification of nightclubs as “sanctuaries of artistic expression and celebration.”
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The cultural update places a significant spotlight on Jean-Michel Jarre. In his late 20s, Jarre composed the seminal masterpiece Oxygène, a sprawling collection of electronic movements crafted entirely on early synthesizers—notably devoid of any vocal accompaniment.
Released in 1976, Oxygène, along with subsequent masterworks like Equinoxe and Zoolook, provided the blueprint for the “French Touch” sound—a movement that eventually dominated global dance floors and remains a potent influence today.
Jarre’s contributions extend far beyond the studio. The composer and former president of CISAC has served as a UNESCO Ambassador since 1993, spending decades at the forefront of the fight for the recognition of intangible culture across the globe.
In 2021, President Emmanuel Macron bestowed upon Jarre the French Legion of Honour, the nation’s most prestigious distinction. Jarre was elevated to the rank of Commander, a rare tribute recognizing his immense impact on both civil and military cultural history.
“I am deeply gratified to see electronic music finally claim its place within world heritage, particularly after thirty years of advocacy as a UNESCO Ambassador,” Jarre shared in a social media tribute, describing the moment as a “historic milestone for the genre.”
Throughout his five-decade career, the 77-year-old artist has brought electronic music to the world’s most iconic landmarks. His performances have graced UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Giza Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and the Forbidden City. Most recently, he performed at Samarkand’s Registan Square during UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference.
The roots of this movement are deeply French, stretching back nearly a century. In 1928, French inventor Maurice Martenot debuted the Ondes Martenot—one of the world’s first electronic instruments—which continues to be utilized by avant-garde orchestras to this day.