[2] Aillagon was a close confidant of Jacques Chirac,[3] as well as a member of the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) political party.

He became Minister of Culture and Communication in 2002, a post in which he served until 2004.

[2] During his time in government, Aillagon worked on a law concerning philanthropy, patronage, and foundations in France.

[4][5] Outside of politics, he has been the chairman at the Centre Georges Pompidou, the CEO of the worldwide satellite TV station TV5MONDE, and president of the Château de Versailles.

Jean-Jacques Aillagon is a confidant of François Pinault and has worked as his art advisor.