# Le Nouvel Obs

> weekly French newsmagazine

**Wikidata**: [Q1044328](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1044328)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Nouvel_Obs)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/le-nouvel-obs

## Summary
**Le Nouvel Obs** is a weekly French newsmagazine founded in 1964 by Claude Perdriel, known for its in-depth journalism and political commentary. It is one of France’s most influential news publications, available in both print and digital formats, and has undergone rebranding, including a name change to **L'Obs** in 2014.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1964 by Claude Perdriel.
- **Original Name:** *Le Nouvel Observateur* (later rebranded as *L'Obs* in 2014 and *Le Nouvel Obs* in 2024).
- **Format:** Weekly newsmagazine, published in print and online.
- **Headquarters:** Paris, France.
- **Language:** French.
- **ISSN:**
  - Print: `0029-4713`
  - Online: `2969-6542`
- **Website:** [www.nouvelobs.com](https://www.nouvelobs.com/)
- **Social Media:**
  - Twitter: [@Le_NouvelObs](https://twitter.com/Le_NouvelObs)
  - YouTube: [UC1ObaaFz4XHVPN2T5IFsU4w](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ObaaFz4XHVPN2T5IFsU4w) (320,000+ subscribers as of 2023)
  - Bluesky: `@nouvelobs.bsky.social`
- **Current Managing Editor:** Matthieu Croissandeau (since April 2014).
- **Historical Predecessor:** *France Observateur* (earlier iteration).
- **Classification:** Newsmagazine (subclass of periodical, printed press, and news organization).
- **Global Identifiers:**
  - **GND ID:** `4166992-7`
  - **VIAF ID:** `211768144`
  - **BnF ID:** `11946121c`
  - **IdRef ID:** `027414639`
  - **SUDOC Editions:** `037456407`, `038887258`, `038887266`, `039225666`, `181387700`, `191088757`
  - **ACNP Journal ID:** `54069`
  - **CPPAP ID:** `0120 C 85929`
- **Wikidata Sitelinks:** 24 language editions (including English, Spanish, German, Arabic, and Chinese).
- **Aliases:** *Le Nouvel Obs*, *L'Obs*, *Nouvel Observateur*, *France-Observateur*, *NouvelObs*, *Новый обозреватель* (Russian), *ル・ヌーヴェル・オプセルヴァトゥール* (Japanese).
- **Notable Digital Presence:**
  - YouTube subscribers: 452,000 (as of March 2025).
  - Twitter followers: 1.56 million (as of February 2023).
- **Encyclopedic Coverage:** Featured in *Encyclopædia Britannica*, *Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana*, and *Encyclopædia Universalis*.

## FAQs

**What is the history of Le Nouvel Obs?**
*Le Nouvel Obs* was founded in 1964 by Claude Perdriel as *Le Nouvel Observateur*, succeeding *France Observateur*. It rebranded to *L'Obs* in 2014 and later to *Le Nouvel Obs* in 2024, maintaining its reputation as a leading French newsmagazine.

**What type of content does Le Nouvel Obs publish?**
It is a weekly newsmagazine covering politics, culture, and current events, featuring investigative journalism, opinion pieces, and editorials. It is classified as a news magazine under the broader category of periodicals.

**Where is Le Nouvel Obs headquartered?**
The magazine is based in Paris, France, where it has operated since its founding.

**What are the different names Le Nouvel Obs has used?**
The publication has been known as:
- *Le Nouvel Observateur* (1964–2014)
- *L'Obs* (2014–2024)
- *Le Nouvel Obs* (2024–present)
It has also been referred to colloquially as *Nouvel Obs*, *L’Obs*, and *NouvelObs*.

**How can I access Le Nouvel Obs online?**
The magazine’s official website is [www.nouvelobs.com](https://www.nouvelobs.com/), with additional digital archives available through the *Bibliothèque nationale de France* ([Gallica Intramuros](https://gallicaintramuros.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb34348929d/date)).

**Who are the key figures associated with Le Nouvel Obs?**
Claude Perdriel founded the magazine in 1964. Matthieu Croissandeau has served as managing editor since April 2014.

**What is the circulation and reach of Le Nouvel Obs?**
While exact print circulation figures are not provided, its digital presence is substantial, with over 1.5 million Twitter followers and 452,000 YouTube subscribers as of 2025.

**Is Le Nouvel Obs available in languages other than French?**
The primary language is French, but its Wikidata entry has sitelinks in 24 languages, including English, Spanish, German, Arabic, and Japanese.

## Why It Matters
*Le Nouvel Obs* is a cornerstone of French journalism, shaping public discourse since 1964. As a weekly newsmagazine, it provides in-depth analysis of politics, culture, and society, serving as a critical voice in France’s media landscape. Its rebranding and digital expansion reflect its adaptability in the modern era, ensuring its continued influence. The magazine’s coverage of major events and its role in investigative journalism make it a key source for informed debate, both domestically and internationally.

## Notable For
- **Longevity and Influence:** One of France’s most enduring and respected newsmagazines since 1964.
- **Rebranding Evolution:** Transitioned from *Le Nouvel Observateur* to *L'Obs* (2014) and *Le Nouvel Obs* (2024).
- **Digital Expansion:** Strong online presence with a widely followed website and social media channels.
- **Multilingual Recognition:** Documented in 24 language editions on Wikidata, indicating global relevance.
- **Editorial Leadership:** Managed by Matthieu Croissandeau since 2014, continuing its tradition of high-quality journalism.
- **Cultural Impact:** Featured in major encyclopedias, including *Encyclopædia Britannica* and *Encyclopædia Universalis*.
- **Historical Roots:** Successor to *France Observateur*, linking it to mid-20th-century French media history.
- **Unique Identifiers:** Holds multiple international cataloging IDs (GND, VIAF, BnF, etc.), underscoring its institutional significance.

## Body

### **History and Founding**
*Le Nouvel Obs* traces its origins to 1964, when Claude Perdriel launched *Le Nouvel Observateur* as a successor to *France Observateur*. The magazine quickly established itself as a leading voice in French journalism, known for its progressive stance and investigative reporting. In 2014, it rebranded to *L'Obs*, streamlining its name while retaining its editorial mission. A further rebranding in 2024 introduced the name *Le Nouvel Obs*, reflecting its enduring identity.

### **Publication Details**
- **Format:** Weekly newsmagazine, published in print and digital formats.
- **ISSN:**
  - Print: `0029-4713` (historically linked to *Le Nouvel observateur (Paris)*).
  - Online: `2969-6542` (*Le Nouvel observateur (Paris. Reproduction numérique)*).
- **Headquarters:** Paris, France.
- **Language:** Primarily French, with international recognition in 24 languages via Wikidata.

### **Leadership and Editorial Team**
- **Founder:** Claude Perdriel (1964).
- **Current Managing Editor:** Matthieu Croissandeau (since April 2014).
- **Notable Contributors:** The magazine has featured prominent journalists and intellectuals, though specific names are not listed in the source material.

### **Digital and Social Media Presence**
*Le Nouvel Obs* maintains an active digital footprint:
- **Website:** [www.nouvelobs.com](https://www.nouvelobs.com/) (primary platform).
- **Social Media:**
  - **Twitter:** [@Le_NouvelObs](https://twitter.com/Le_NouvelObs) (1.56 million followers as of 2023).
  - **YouTube:** [UC1ObaaFz4XHVPN2T5IFsU4w](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ObaaFz4XHVPN2T5IFsU4w) (452,000 subscribers as of 2025).
  - **Bluesky:** `@nouvelobs.bsky.social` (DID: `did:plc:xhye77kvlv7vddwpapebsljj`).
- **Archives:** Digitized issues available via *Bibliothèque nationale de France* ([Gallica Intramuros](https://gallicaintramuros.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb34348929d/date)).

### **Classification and Ontology**
*Le Nouvel Obs* is classified as:
- **Instance of:** Newspaper, newsmagazine.
- **Subclass of:** Periodical, printed press, goods, print-native publication, organization.
- **Main Subject:** News magazine (per Wikidata).
- **Equivalent Classes:** Linked to DBpedia (`http://dbpedia.org/ontology/Newspaper`), Schema.org, and BiblioGraph.net.

### **Global Identifiers and Cataloging**
The magazine is indexed in multiple international systems:
- **GND ID:** `4166992-7` (German National Library).
- **VIAF ID:** `211768144` (Virtual International Authority File).
- **BnF ID:** `11946121c` (*Bibliothèque nationale de France*).
- **IdRef ID:** `027414639` (French research identifier).
- **SUDOC Editions:** Multiple entries (`037456407`, `038887258`, etc.).
- **ACNP Journal ID:** `54069` (Italian national catalog).
- **CPPAP ID:** `0120 C 85929` (French press commission).
- **OCLC Number:** `893662600`.
- **Hal Journal ID:** `102504` (French open archive).
- **Mir@bel Journal ID:** `302` (Belgian/French journal directory).

### **Encyclopedic and Academic Recognition**
*Le Nouvel Obs* is documented in major reference works:
- **Encyclopædia Britannica:** Online ID `topic/newspaper`.
- **Encyclopædia Universalis:** ID `le-nouvel-observateur-hebdomadaire`.
- **Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana:** IDs `le-nouvel-observateur` and `0046461` (former scheme).
- **Wikidata:** 24 language sitelinks, including Arabic, Chinese, German, and Japanese.

### **Notable Aliases and Variations**
The magazine has been known by multiple names and abbreviations:
- *Le Nouvel Observateur* (1964–2014).
- *L'Obs* (2014–2024).
- *Le Nouvel Obs* (2024–present).
- Colloquial variants: *Nouvel Obs*, *L’Obs*, *NouvelObs*.
- International translations:
  - Russian: *Новый обозреватель* (*Novyy obozrevatel’*).
  - Japanese: *ル・ヌーヴェル・オプセルヴァトゥール* (*Ru Nūveru Opuseruvatūru*), shortened to *ロプス* (*Ropusu*) or *ロブ* (*Robu*).

### **Related Entities and Distinctions**
- **Different From:** *L'Observateur* (a separate publication).
- **Predecessor:** *France Observateur* (earlier iteration).
- **Wikimedia Ecosystem:**
  - **Commons Category:** [L'Obs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:L%27Obs).
  - **Wikidata Description:** "weekly French newsmagazine."
  - **Wikipedia Languages:** 24 editions, including English, Spanish, and Arabic.

### **Significance in French Media**
*Le Nouvel Obs* has played a pivotal role in French journalism, particularly in political commentary and investigative reporting. Its rebranding efforts reflect its adaptability to digital media trends, ensuring its relevance in the 21st century. The magazine’s inclusion in global catalogs and encyclopedias underscores its enduring cultural and academic importance.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. ISSN Portal
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. National Collective Archive of Periodicals
5. YouTube API