The town of Beausoleil, near Monaco, is set to host a conference on March 24, featuring Professor Henri Joyeux, a figure embroiled in controversy due to his previous remarks on vaccines and health.

This event is organized by MC.5 Communication in cooperation with Zepter International and the Beausoleil municipality, where the discussion will focus on advancements in cancer treatment, depression, and diabetes.

Joyeux will be joined by nutritionist Christine Bouguet-Joyeux and Dr. Bart de Wever, the Chief Scientist at Zepter, who will discuss the benefits of light therapy.

The decision to host Joyeux has generated significant public outcry, especially in light of his two-year suspension from practicing medicine, effective January 1, 2024, imposed after he made controversial statements regarding vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This suspension was upheld by the Conseil d'État in June 2024.

Social media reactions to the announcement have been predominantly critical, with many citing Joyeux's past as damaging.

Critics label him a proponent of misinformation, referencing his previous claims against vaccines.

In defense of the event, the organizer stated that this controversy has been exaggerated, emphasizing that Joyeux has not rejected all vaccinations but has voiced concerns over specific formulations.

The Beausoleil municipality has responded by asserting that the conference meets the needs of an interested public and that local infrastructure is made available for various events in compliance with existing regulations.

Mayor Gérard Spinelli has indicated that it is beyond the city's scope to judge the content of opinions expressed in public forums unless they incite hate or violence.

Dr. Jérôme Barrière, an oncologist and a member of the scientific council at the French Society of Cancer, expressed alarm regarding Joyeux's involvement.

He outlined the implications of allowing such a controversial speaker to present in a publicly funded space.

Barrière described Joyeux as a leader in scientific misinformation, highlighting the potential influence his presence may have on vulnerable individuals.

In addition to his current controversies, Joyeux has faced earlier disciplinary actions, including a previous suspension in 2016 linked to unauthorized clinical trials involving patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products has condemned these unauthorized trials as fraudulent, raising further ethical concerns about Joyeux's qualifications.

The juxtaposition of Joyeux's notable medical background with his contentious public statements continues to elicit a mixed response from the community, reflecting ongoing tensions between public health messaging and individual freedom of speech in health-related discussions.