France’s ‘immortals’ under fire for lavish benefits

The financial management of France’s learned societies is characterised by “numerous deficiencies and irregularities”, according to a report from the country’s court of auditors.

The court of auditors investigated France’s five main learned societies, including the Académie Française, whose members are known officially as “immortals”, as well as their umbrella organisation, the Institut de France.

The report, published on 30 April, looks at the period from 2005 to 2013 and details a culture of largely unquestioned high pay and “unjustified benefits in kind”.