René Ribière (1922–1998) was a French politician. He took part in the last ever duel in France in 1967 and lost when he was lightly injured by

Gaston Defferre Gaston Defferre (14 September 1910 – 7 May 1986) was a French Socialist politician. He served as mayor of Marseille for 33 years until his death in 1986. He was minister for overseas territories in Guy Mollet’s socialist government in 1956� ...

, after Defferre insulted Ribière at the French parliament. Defferre yelled ‘Taisez-vous, abruti!‘ (‘Shut up, stupid!’) at Ribière following an argument in the French National Assembly. Ribière demanded an apology, Defferre refused, so Ribière demanded satisfaction by duel with

small sword The small sword or smallsword (also court sword, Gaelic: or claybeg, French: or dress sword) is a light one-handed sword designed for thrusting which evolved out of the longer and heavier rapier of the late Renaissance. The height of the small ...

s. René Ribière lost the duel, having been wounded twice. He escaped relatively uninjured, however.

References

1922 births French politicians 1998 deaths French duellists {{France-politician-stub