Toulouse, France – William Lafleur, known online as MsieurLeProf, is set to appear in a Toulouse court on February 24th following a defamation lawsuit filed by an unnamed inspector from the French Ministry of National Education. The case stems from criticisms leveled against the education system in Lafleur’s 2023 book, L’Ex-plus beau métier du monde (The Ex-Most Beautiful Job in the World), published by Flammarion.
The lawsuit has sparked concern among educators about potential chilling effects on free speech, with French teacher Myriam Meyer expressing fears that teachers may self-censor their writing for fear of legal repercussions. Meyer, author of Wesh, Madame?!, noted the widespread following Lafleur garnered among teachers who found resonance in his accounts of the profession’s challenges.
Lafleur, a former English teacher who gained prominence in the 2010s through his blogs and social media presence, initially sought anonymity as MsieurLeProf. His online posts, initially humorous anecdotes, evolved into increasingly political commentary, particularly after the 2018 reforms to the French baccalaureate exam. By 2023, he had amassed over 444,000 followers on Twitter and 250,000 on Facebook, according to Wikipedia.
The book at the center of the dispute recounts Lafleur’s experiences as a teacher in the Toulouse area, specifically in the Tarn-et-Garonne and Haute-Garonne departments. He taught at Valence d’Agen and Villemur-sur-Tarn. The lawsuit alleges defamation based on Lafleur’s depiction of an inspection he underwent, which he described as “infantilizing.”
Lafleur left the French education system in 2023, citing burnout and systemic issues, including overcrowded classrooms, lack of administrative support, and increasing instances of violence. A France Bleu interview conducted on February 9, 2026, revealed that teacher resignations had reportedly “quintupled in ten years” prior to his departure. He has described experiencing four inspections during his twelve-year career, with two being positive experiences and two being problematic.
The case is being closely watched by educators and free speech advocates, raising questions about the boundaries of criticism within the French public education system. The Ministry of National Education has not yet commented on the ongoing legal proceedings.