Benjamin Duhamel holds a unique place in the French media landscape. Born on March 15, 1995, he embodies both the continuity and modernity of political journalism. His family, rooted in the media world, saw him grow up in contact with the great voices of current affairs. Thus, his father Patrice Duhamel led France Télévisions. His mother, Nathalie Saint-Cricq, was the head of the political department at France 2. Additionally, he counts among his relatives Alain Duhamel, a historical editorialist, and the minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. This family network imposes a demand for rigor. However, it sometimes raises suspicions of favoritism, which the young journalist acknowledges with clarity.
An Academic Path of Excellence
From childhood, Benjamin Duhamel received a demanding education. He attended the École bilingue active Jeannine-Manuel, then the prestigious Lycée Henri-IV. After the baccalaureate, he joined the Institut d’études politiques de Paris. Graduating in 2017, he quickly turned to journalism while cultivating a curiosity for contemporary literature. Thus, he readily cites Belle du Seigneur by Albert Cohen or Le Soleil des Scorta by Laurent Gaudé. This culture nourishes his analytical capacity and enriches his oral expression on air.
The Rise on BFMTV
After a stint at RTL and then LCI, Benjamin Duhamel joined the editorial team of BFMTV in 2019. He then covered the main political events on the national scene. Moreover, he distinguished himself during major live broadcasts, notably during elections or government crises. In September 2023, he obtained the presentation of the Sunday noon political interview. Quickly, he gained the trust of the editorial team and the public. In the fall of 2024, he succeeded Yves Calvi in the 6:50 PM to 8:00 PM slot. He imposed a clear style, marked by precise questions and sober analyses. However, competition intensified within the group, marked by strategic upheavals and a series of departures.
A Departure That Makes an Event
In June 2025, the journalist announced his departure from BFMTV. He joined the morning show of France Inter, the leading radio station in France. This change is part of the audiovisual market reshuffle, marked by the acquisition of Altice Média by CMA CGM. Several emblematic figures left the channel, including Benjamin Duhamel. He then had to choose between television and radio, as combining both activities proved impossible. He told Le Parisien: “Combining these two radio appointments with my daily show on BFMTV was impossible. So I decided to leave the channel. It was not an easy choice, but I could not refuse such an opportunity.” This choice provoked reactions internally. Thus, the noticeable absence of Fabien Namias, the channel’s general director, at his farewell party fueled rumors of latent tension.
A New Challenge on France Inter
At the start of the new season, Benjamin Duhamel takes over from Léa Salamé for the 7:50 AM interview on France Inter. Moreover, he will co-host Le Grand entretien alongside Nicolas Demorand. This dual responsibility imposes an increased workload. He himself confides: “I will work a lot, yes. I understand the level of demand of this morning show, and that is also what excites me.” He accepts a lower salary than that offered by television, a sign of a more personal than financial commitment. Thus, he says he is “honored” to join a radio station he listened to as a teenager, citing Patrick Cohen or Sonia Devillers among his models.
A Discreet but Exposed Private Life
In his private life, Benjamin Duhamel has been sharing his life for five years with Agathe Lambret, a political journalist who worked at BFMTV and is currently on France Info. The couple displays great discretion while acknowledging the intensity of a daily life shared between reporting and writing. In his own words, he refuses the label of “privileged.” He claims a form of personal merit. However, he recognizes that his name imposes constant vigilance on the quality of his work.
An Emblematic Face of Political Journalism
With this transition from BFMTV to France Inter, Benjamin Duhamel confirms his status as a committed and versatile journalist. He embodies a new generation, attached to transparency, analysis, and transmission. His trajectory is marked by fidelity to family values and a taste for public debate. Moreover, it now becomes part of the history of the great voices of French journalism.