“Discover Who Leads as Mayor of Dijon”

Nathalie Koenders was born in Rennes in 1977 and moved to Dijon with her family in 1981. She rose from high-level sport to leadership in Dijon politics.

Early life and sporting career

She attended école Montchapet and collège Marcelle Pardé. At Marcelle Pardé she followed a CHAM program and learned the saxophone.

She completed secondary studies at lycée Charles de Gaulle in the German international class. During school holidays she discovered kayaking on Lac Kir.

Her introduction to the sport came through the municipal Dijon Sport Découverte scheme. She joined ASPTT Dijon and later competed at elite international level for France.

Education and professional roles

Koenders studied STAPS at the University of Burgundy and passed the INSEP entrance examination. She trained at the national institute for sport and performance.

She worked as a civil servant at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. She also taught at the CREPS de Dijon and engaged with the city’s Office municipal des sports.

She earned a licence in public law. She was admitted to the ENA preparatory cycle, with the school becoming INSP in 2022.

Political career and local offices

François Rebsamen, mayor since 2001, presented her as number two on his municipal list in 2008. He later awarded her several city medals.

She first served as deputy in charge of commerce and artisan affairs. Those years included work on tram lines T1 and T2, centre-city pedestrianisation, and the Toison d’Or extension.

She later oversaw personnel and local democracy. A member of the Socialist Party, she became first deputy mayor in 2014.

She was elected departmental councillor for Côte-d’Or in 2015. These roles deepened her ties to local administration and residents.

Mayor of Dijon

After François Rebsamen resigned, she was elected mayor on 25 November 2024. She became the first woman to hold the city’s mayoralty.

Her approach combines continuity with a personal style focused on dialogue and proximity. She also emphasizes modernization in municipal practices.

Recent election result

On 22 March 2026, the list Dijon. Écologique, sociale, attractive, led by Koenders, won decisively. The list obtained 58.41% of the vote in the second round.

For readers who wish to Discover Who Leads as Mayor of Dijon, Filmogaz.com provides this concise profile. The summary outlines her path from sport to the city’s highest municipal office.