Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot dies aged 69 in plane crash on approach to La Baule airport in western France
Claude Guillemot, 69, a co-founder of French video-game giant Ubisoft, was killed Friday evening when his twin-engine Cessna crashed in a field near La Baule airport. The flight instructor also aboard died in the accident.
The crash
A Cessna 421 twin-engine aircraft went down while on approach to land at La Baule-Escoublac Airport on the evening of 19 June 2026. The plane came to rest in a field and caught fire, with emergency responders reporting that flames were spreading to nearby vegetation. The aircraft had departed from Rennes, where Claude Guillemot lived, and was heading towards the coastal resort of La Baule, reportedly for a fly-in gathering of light-aircraft enthusiasts.
The plane was on approach to land when, according to witnesses, it tilted and fell.
Both people on board died at the scene. Authorities identified them as Claude Guillemot, who owned and was piloting the Cessna, and Marc Guillet, a flight instructor who was accompanying him on the flight. Mayor Franck Louvrier of La Baule stated that both men were licensed, experienced pilots.
Ubisoft statement
Ubisoft issued a brief statement on Saturday confirming the death of its co-founder.
Ubisoft was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp, in an accident. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time.
The company, headquartered in France, is behind blockbuster franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Just Dance, Rayman and Tom Clancy’s series. Guillemot was also chairman and CEO of Guillemot Corporation, the family’s hardware arm, which owns the Hercules audio brand and the Thrustmaster line of gaming peripherals.
A founding family
Claude Guillemot, born in 1956 in Brittany, was the eldest of five brothers. He held a master’s degree in economics from the University of Rennes 1 and a diploma in industrial computing from ICAM Lille. In 1984 the brothers founded Guillemot Informatique, which evolved into Guillemot Corporation a year later. Spotting a commercial opening in the emerging video-game market, they launched Ubisoft in 1986 from their hometown of Carentoir.
The publisher began with titles like Zombi and Iron Lord and grew into one of the world’s largest video-game companies. Claude Guillemot served on Ubisoft’s board of directors while his brother Yves became its long-time CEO. He also brought international experience, having lived in Asia, and deep knowledge of PC, console and mobile-gaming technologies.
Investigation
Prosecutors in Saint-Nazaire have opened an inquiry into involuntary manslaughter. The exact cause of the crash remains undetermined, and French aviation safety authorities are working to establish the sequence of events.
Reaction from the industry
French deputy minister for artificial intelligence and digitization, Anne Le Hénanff, paid tribute on social media.
The French video game industry loses today one of its pioneers.
The loss resonated beyond France. Outlets across Europe reported the news, underscoring the global footprint of the company Guillemot helped build.
