World · South & Central Asia · 7 hrs ago
Journalist Vanessa Dougnac dies at 54 after covering India for 25 years
French journalist Vanessa Dougnac died of cancer in Paris on 2 November, aged 54.
She spent 25 years reporting from India and South Asia, covering events from Kashmir and Nepal to Sri Lanka.
She worked as a correspondent for La Croix, Le Point, Le Soir and Le Temps.
In February 2024, India’s government barred her from the country, according to the accounts of her career.
Her reporting took her into areas affected by conflict, including forests in Chhattisgarh and Kashmir, and she described her experiences in her 2025 book, Jungles.
Her work documented people and conflicts across the region through long-form reporting and first-hand accounts.
Journalist Vanessa Dougnac died in Paris on 2 November 2026 at the age of 54.
She died of cancer after covering India and South Asia for 25 years.
She worked as a correspondent for La Croix, Le Point, Le Soir and Le Temps.
The Indian government barred her from the country in February 2024.
Her book Jungles, about her experiences in India, was published in November 2025.
- Who
- Vanessa Dougnac, a journalist and specialist in India and South Asia.
- What
- She died of cancer at age 54.
- When
- 2 November 2026.
- Where
- Paris.
- Why
- She died of cancer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dougnac reported from Nepal for La Croix.
The Indian government barred Dougnac from the country.
Her book Jungles was published.
She attended the Rendez-vous de l’histoire in Blois and a book signing in Bayeux.
Dougnac died in Paris of cancer.
- Age
- 54
- Time covering India
- 25 years
- Death
- 2 November 2026, in Paris
- Cause of death
- Cancer
- Book
- Jungles, published in November 2025
- Ban from India
- February 2024
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What people are saying
my odyssey in India