Sophie Davant Reveals Shocking Misogyny and Pay Inequality at France Télévisions

Sophie Davant, a prominent figure in French public broadcasting for several decades, has detailed her experiences with misogyny and professional devaluation during her tenure at France 2. The veteran presenter revealed that her requests for fair financial compensation were met with sexist remarks and that she eventually felt her professional value had been reduced to that of a decorative object.

In a video published on her YouTube channel, Davant recounted a specific incident involving a request for a salary increase. While discussing the encounter with the news director of France 2, Davant shared that the response she received was focused on her partner’s income rather than her own professional merit.

According to reporting from RTBF, the director told her Your husband is paid well enough. This exchange took place around the time her partner, Pierre Sled, the father of her children, had been hired by France 2 to present Stade 2 following his departure from Canal+. Davant stated that she left the meeting feeling stunned.

Professional Devaluation and the Furniture Metaphor

Beyond specific comments regarding her salary, Davant has described a broader culture of indifference toward her career growth. During an interview on the RTL program On refait la télé on November 17, 2025, she spoke about the lack of consideration she felt from her employers toward the end of her time with the network.

At France 2, I felt that I was considered like a piece of furniture that does its job well and that decorates a room well

Sophie Davant via RTL

Davant explained that this sentiment of being furniture reflected a deep frustration with a routine that offered no further prospects for evolution. She noted that while her position was viewed as secure, the direction of the network stopped proposing large-scale projects to her, which fueled her desire to seek new challenges outside of the organization.

Career Transitions and Contractual Changes

These feelings of stagnation preceded several significant shifts in Davant’s career. In 2023, she stepped down from her role as the host of the successful program Affaire conclue, leaving the position to Julia Vignali.

Further changes occurred in 2025, when her animal-focused program on France 3 was canceled. In a disclosure made to Le Parisien that same year, Davant revealed that she was no longer employed under a permanent contract (CDI) at France Télévisions.

Davant had signed her permanent contract with the public broadcaster in 1987. She explained that the permanent status had eventually become a constraint that blocked her from pursuing other professional avenues. By freeing herself from this contractual obligation, she sought to regain her professional autonomy.

Despite these departures, Davant emphasized that the public service remains part of her DNA after 35 years of collaboration. She noted that many contributors at France Télévisions work on a non-permanent basis while still maintaining regular collaborations on daily shows.

Current Endeavors

Since moving away from her long-term roles at France 2 and France 3, Davant has diversified her media presence. She currently hosts a weekly program on the radio station Europe 1 and has established her own YouTube channel.

Through these new platforms, Davant has used her visibility to address issues of financial parity and the combat against misogyny within the media industry, speaking openly about the challenges women face when negotiating compensation and seeking professional advancement in high-profile broadcasting roles.