In 1976, Girardin first worked for the French government at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[2] In early 1998, Girardin was appointed as the Senior Administrator of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands until January 2000.

[4] In May 2003, Girardin met with the Spanish Secretary for European Affairs, Ramón de Miguel, and Portuguese Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos da Costa Neves to demand the European Union add aid for the countries' ultra-peripheral regions to the constitution.

[5] In 2005, Girardin worked as the Minister for Cooperation, Development and the Francophonie, where she made several deals between France and Francophone nations.

[10] Girardin was also a member of UMP, a political party founded by Dominique de Villepin based on his republic of solidarity movement.