Daughter of André Colin, the head of MRP and of political parties which succeeded it at the centre, she chose to join François Bayrou's Democratic Force and the Union for French Democracy (UDF).

In September 2002, Idrac left her mandate and political functions to take on the presidency of the RATP, on the suggestion of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

[3] Her tenure was marked most notably by the reform of retirement financing, the launching of automation of Parisian metro's line 1, the installation of a guaranteed contractual service in case of strikes, as well as contracts in foreign countries.

[4] During her brief time in office, she was involved in the development of TGV lines at a European dimension, to the relaunch of regional transportation, and to the regeneration of the network for RFF, and to the rectification of the fret situation.

[5] In 2018, news reported that Idrac was among the contenders in the frame for the interim CEO role at Air France-KLM after the departure of Jean-Marc Janaillac; instead, the position went to Anne-Marie Couderc.