When it comes to politics – especially when trying to win an election – politicians might adopt traditions and superstitions to give them a perceived boost over their opponents, and some of those might involve food.
Ever since the 20th Century, it has been said that those aspiring to be the President of France should eat a specific omelette if they are to win the contest.
Is it true that there is a French political superstition about an omelette?
VERDICT:
TRUE
This is, in fact, true, as it is believed that those who seek to be France's next President have to head to the town of Mont Saint Michel in Normandy – a region in the north of France – and eat a specific omelette at “Restaurant de la Mère Poulard” which has been serving the public since 1888.
As written in an article by SBS Food, this omelette was invented by Annette Poulard when she was running an inn on the area's famous island, and it explains that she created the omelette to cater to pilgrims visiting the abbey on Mont Saint Michel.
It says that guests could only reach the island by land during low tide and, as such, would arrive at all hours. Poulard would quickly prepare her souffle-like omelette of eggs, salt, pepper and local butter so that her guests could have something to eat while waiting for a heavier meal.
So, how does this omelette link up with a French political superstition? It is believed that those who eat the Omelette de la mère Poulard will win the race to be the next President of France.
This superstition dates back to the contest for the Presidency between Georges Clemenceau and Paul Deschanel in 1920; while in the running, Clemenceau visited Poulard but did not eat her famous omelette as she was unwell at the time and later lost to Deschanel.
Since then, it has been noted that those who won all ate the omelette – such as Charles de Gaulle, who made a family visit to Mont Saint Michel in October 1957 before going on to win another term as President in 1958.
One would think this superstition has died out in the modern era. However, it is still alive and well. Nicolas Sarkozy actually launched his 2007 presidential campaign in Mont Saint Michel before going on to win his campaign.
As it is said in French politics, "Omelette tu mangeras, président tu seras” or “Omelette, you eat and President you will be.”
SOURCES
https://www.sbs.com.au/food/
https://www.public.fr/News/
