The last official fencing duel in France took place in 1967 between Gaston Defferre, the mayor of Marseille, and René Ribière, a presidential candidate from the Socialist Party.
İdman.biz reports that the reason for the duel was Defferre's statement to Ribière during his speech: "Taisez-vous, abruti!" ("Be quiet, you fool!").
When Defferre refused to apologize, Ribière challenged him to a duel.
Ribière was supposed to have his wedding ceremony the day after the duel. During the duel, the 57-year-old mayor injured Ribière twice, after which the duel was stopped.
This duel went down in history as the last duel conducted according to official rules in France.