Since the end of the nineteenth century, the mayor has emerged as a key actor in French political life, not only at the local but at the national level. The affirmation of political democracy, the personalization of politics, the professionalization of public action, and the reinforcement of powers granted to local entities have contributed to what some observers have called the "presidentialization" of the mayor. Well-known personalities, such as Edouard Herriot of Lyon, Adrien Marquet and Jacques Chaban-Delmas of Bordeaux, Jean Lecanuet of Rouen, or Antoine Pinay of Saint Chamond have come to incarnate the close relationship between mayors and their cities - a relationship that did not prevent these municipal leaders from also taking on significant responsibilities at the national level of government. This edition takes a pluri-disciplinary and multi-scale approach to the varied aspects suggested here.
