French Senator Gilbert Bouchet, a prominent Les Républicains politician from the Drôme department, died on Monday, October 20, 2025, at age 78 after battling Charcot's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The city of Tain-l'Hermitage, where Bouchet served as mayor for 22 years, announced his passing with "deep emotion and immense sadness," noting he had profoundly marked the community's history.

Bouchet's political legacy was closely tied to his personal health struggle. Despite being weakened and using a respirator, he personally defended reforms for ALS patient care in the Senate in October 2024. His powerful testimony created an emotional response among senators and contributed to the legislation being unanimously adopted by the National Assembly in February.

The late senator began his career as a hotelier along the National Route 7 before entering politics. He was elected mayor of Tain-l'Hermitage in 1995 and transformed the city during his 22-year tenure. Xavier Angéli, his former deputy who succeeded him as mayor, paid tribute to Bouchet as "a man of conviction and courage" who had permanently marked the municipality.

The city's official statement praised Bouchet for facing his illness with the same combativeness that characterized his entire life, noting he remained faithful to his ideas and engagement until his final moments. His frank speaking style and sincere approach to politics were highlighted as hallmarks of his career, which spanned from local governance to national healthcare advocacy.