Patrick Boucheron is the most popular of French historians. Professor at the Collège de France, head of the Chair of the History of Powers in Western Europe (13th-16th century), he promotes a living, polyphonic history, which focuses on identities and which is an «art of discontinuities». This eminent medievalist brings the voice of a committed and scholarly dis- course to the heart of the public uses of history. He contributes to the popularization of the historical discipline by regularly participating in public events, literary festivals, theatrical performances and debates.