--- title: "Secret Bunker and Escape Plan: What Is Known About Macron’s Inner Circle Preparations" description: "French journalists claim in the book \"The New Army of Shadows\" that Macron's inner circle prepared a secret shelter in a Paris suburb and plans for military deployment in case of a government collapse. Similar rumors were previously debunked by AFP fact-checkers." date: 2026-11-07T19:59:24.627Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/secret-bunker-and-macron-escape-plan tags: [france, macron, protests, elysee-palace, security, fact-check] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Secret Bunker and Escape Plan: What Is Known About Macron’s Inner Circle Preparations ![French President Emmanuel Macron speaks against a blue backdrop during an official address](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/07/taynyy-bunker-i-plan-pobega-makrona/taynyy-bunker-i-plan-pobega-makrona-1.webp) ## Key Points - Journalists Gastineau, Izambard, and Renaud claim in 'The New Army of Shadows' that a secret shelter for Macron exists in a Paris suburb - Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure reportedly held meetings on preparing for a possible uprising, according to the authors - Authorities have allegedly developed a plan to deploy military forces in the event of a government collapse - A previous viral video about a 148 million euro bunker was debunked by AFP fact-checkers as containing forged documents and AI-generated voices French journalists Pierre Gastineau, Antoine Izambard, and Franck Renaud reveal details in their new book, "The New Army of Shadows," regarding preparations by President Emmanuel Macron's inner circle for a potential crisis in Paris. According to the authors, authorities likely set up a secret shelter in a suburb of the French capital, where the head of state could evacuate if the Élysée Palace were seized by protesters. The book was published amid escalating social tensions in France, where large-scale protests broke out once again on November 7. ### The Insurrection Scenario and the Role of Police The journalists claim that fears regarding growing protest sentiments are intensifying in France, and one of the potential triggers for new unrest could be the results of the upcoming presidential elections. Against this backdrop, according to the book's authors, Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure allegedly held multiple meetings dedicated to preparing for a possible insurrection. The authorities, Gastineau, Izambard, and Renaud claim, are considering the scenario of a government collapse and, in such an event, have reportedly developed a plan to deploy military forces. ### Revival of Cold War Networks Special attention in the book is paid to the role of intelligence agencies. The authors claim that French intelligence officers have renewed their interest in Cold War-era underground networks maintained through a secret intelligence fund. Revenues from their activities, according to the journalists, were intended to support resistance forces in the event of the collapse of the French state. These assertions emphasize the scale of preparations, which, the authors note, remains largely unknown to the general public. ### Previously Debunked Bunker Rumors Rumors regarding the existence of a secret shelter for Macron have appeared in the media before. In the autumn of 2025, a video circulated on social media claiming that the French president had allocated 148 million euros to build a luxury underground shelter spanning over 1,500 square meters to protect against World War III. The clip featured a document ordering a 50 million euro transfer to Oppidum, a company specializing in elite shelter construction, with a signature allegedly belonging to former Élysée Palace Secretary-General Alexis Kohler. ### AFP Fact-Checkers' Verdict However, AFP fact-checkers debunked this information. Specialists discovered that the video contained forged documents and references to fictional sources. Furthermore, Oppidum had ceased operations before the alleged financial transaction, and the voices in the video, according to experts, had a 98% probability of being generated by artificial intelligence. Thus, the specific figures and details featured in the viral video were not confirmed, but the broader topic of secret preparations by Macron's entourage for a potential crisis remains in the public eye. ### Context: Protests and Regional Risks The publication of the book coincided with a new wave of protest activity in France, where mass rallies were held again on November 7. As analysts previously noted, protests in France are spreading to other European countries, creating additional risks for regional stability and, in particular, for Ukraine, which depends on the support of Western partners. Under these conditions, any information regarding the internal security of the French state and the readiness of its authorities for a political crisis scenario acquires heightened informational resonance. ## Accounts differ ### Existence and parameters of a secret shelter for Macron - **Authors of 'The New Army of Shadows' (Gastineau, Izambard, Renaud):** A secret shelter was set up in a Paris suburb for Macron's evacuation; Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure held meetings preparing for a possible uprising; authorities developed a plan to deploy military forces if the government falls ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/makron-mae-taemniy-plan-vtechi-razi-shturmu-1794079108.html)) - **AFP Fact-Checkers:** The viral video from autumn 2025 about building a 148 million euro shelter by Oppidum contains forged documents and references to fictional sources; voices in the clip are 98% likely AI-generated; Oppidum ceased operations before the alleged transaction ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/makron-mae-taemniy-plan-vtechi-razi-shturmu-1794079108.html)) *Where they agree:* Rumors about a possible secret shelter for the French president circulated in the media previously, and the journalists' book contains new claims about crisis preparation; there are no official confirmations from authorities ## Fact-Check & Sources - [У Макрона есть тайный план побега в случае штурма Елисейского дворца, - СМИ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/makron-mae-taemniy-plan-vtechi-razi-shturmu-1794079108.html) - Primary source. Information is based on a book by three French journalists. Specific claims (shelter, Faure's meetings, Cold War networks) are not officially confirmed. Previous similar rumors (148 million euros, Oppidum) were debunked by AFP. ## FAQ ### What specifically do the authors of 'The New Army of Shadows' claim? Journalists Pierre Gastineau, Antoine Izambard, and Franck Renaud claim that French authorities set up a secret shelter in a Paris suburb for Macron's evacuation, that Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure held meetings to prepare for a potential uprising, and that intelligence agencies renewed interest in Cold War-era underground networks. ### Were rumors about Macron's bunker previously debunked? Yes. In the autumn of 2025, a video circulated on social media regarding the construction of a 148 million euro shelter by Oppidum. AFP fact-checkers found that the video contained forged documents, Oppidum no longer existed, and the voices in the clip were 98% likely generated by AI. ### Have French authorities confirmed the existence of a secret shelter? The provided sources do not include official comments from the Élysée Palace or French authorities regarding the book's claims. The information is based solely on journalistic publications.