From Google to Burger King, including daring startups, companies compete every year in creativity to mark the 1er april. Between strokes of marketing genius and memorable missteps, these operations illustrate the extent to which brand humor can be a powerful lever… or a major risk. A look back at the best corporate April Fools from 2018 to 2026.
The best corporate April Fools’ jokes in 2018
François Hollande, new CEO of Disneyland Paris
The information comes from the Disneyland group itself, an official press release was issued on the internet. In the latter, the former president of the republic declares: “I have always liked the world that Disneyland Paris shares. When I go to the Parisian Park, I particularly love riding in one of the cars from the Autosia attraction”. See you next May 1, the announced date of his taking office, to verify the authenticity of the hoax.
Burger King innovates
On March 30, Burger King announces a chocolate Whopper. The ingredients: chocolate bread and steak, white chocolate onions, raspberry coulis ketchup, and blood oranges as tomatoes. With vanilla icing as a sauce, the American group’s flagship sandwich is re-invented for Easter. It was an April Fool’s joke, we were still scared.
Tesla bankrupt…
“Tesla went bankrupt. Palo Alto, California, April 1, 2018 – Despite intense fundraising efforts, including a massive ‘last chance’ Easter egg sale, we are sad to report that Tesla is completely and utterly bankrupt. So bankrupt you couldn’t imagine.. Elon Musk has a very personal sense of humor when announcing the bankruptcy of his empire. We must hope for him that it is not premonitory, we will then appreciate the irony of fate.
…but which made it possible to find travelers from elsewhere
“The cameras filming “Spaceman”, the model aboard the Tesla, spotted a strange spot on the windshield, resembling an insect in every way”. It is through this hat that Sciences et Avenir announced the big news. The car sent into space by Elon Musk encountered an intergalactic midge, different hypotheses were being studied yesterday… Are they still being studied today? Unlikely.
Porsche launches into agricultural vehicles
A 700 horsepower electric Porsche tractor! Enough is enough!
Who stole the blue chairs from the Promenade des Anglais?
Nice moved a battalion of gendarmes to find its blue chairs. The population is impatiently awaiting their return! The Riviera residents couldn’t believe their eyes: the famous blue chairs, the true identity of the Nice coastline, had disappeared. They have been replaced by common pieces of yellowish plastic. It was only this morning that the municipality announced that it had found the icons.
Google helps you find the perfect hummus!
On April 1, 2018, Google, which never runs out of ideas, found the answer to these thousands of people who are asking the same question: what is the best hummus? To all these people, Google Cloud Hummus API will become our best friend. The concept? A sensor to place under your tongue, and the Web giant instantly locates the address to taste the hummus that best suits your palate. THANK YOU GOOGLE!
The best corporate April Fools’ jokes in 2019
The Gard gendarmerie
The Gard gendarmerie announced on April 1 that “in addition to traditional dog teams, the Bagnols sur Cèze gendarmerie had recently acquired a team specializing in the detection of narcotics”. Called STUPS, it would have been “trained for 10 weeks at the national gallinaceae training center”. Why not !
RATP April Fool’s joke: Paris metro stations transformed
On April 1, 2019, RATP’s April Fool’s Day was another successful joke. Inside the carriages and in around ten metro stations, heavenly decorations on the theme of travel had replaced the advertising posters and the hoax continued on lines 9 and 14 with trains with windows offering a “breathtaking view of the sky”.
The best corporate April Fools in 2020 – 2021
Chambord Castle
The Château de Chambord decided to ride the “rewilding” trend by publishing a tweet featuring a unicorn that was reportedly seen in the château park. A dreamlike image to forget the pandemic.
April Fools by Pringles
On April 1, 2021, the famous brand Pringles offers a new collection of lip balms. Fans will be able to moisturize their lips with a little taste of Salt & Vinegar as well as Sour Cream & Onions.
Recent successes: 2023 to 2025
Babybel: Cheese in a kit (2023)
The brand announced the launch of the “Mini Babybel DIY”. The concept? Receive hot wax and curds to mold your own little cheese at home. A logistical nightmare, but a tasty joke for snack lovers.
Duolingo on Ice (2024)
The language learning app announced “Duolingo on Ice,” a 4-hour figure skating show where the famous green owl chases spectators who haven’t done their lesson for the day. The trailer, imperturbably serious, went around the world.
Air France: The “No Gravity” flight (2025)
Last year, Air France caused a sensation by announcing a Paris-New York flight in total weightlessness thanks to new magnetic technology. The visuals showing the meal trays floating in the Business cabin have trapped more than one traveler looking for thrills.
Best April Fools’ Day 2026 in France
Here is a freshly caught selection of the best fish for April 2026 in France
Babybel x Monty Bojangles: The “Choccybel”
The red net brand announces an improbable fusion: its emblematic cheese coated with truffled chocolate. They claim to have worked for 18 months to balance the melting of the cheese and the bitterness of the cocoa.
La Pharmacie du Carillon: Paracetamol in Maroilles
Located in the North, this pharmacy created a buzz with a fake medicine flavored with local cheese. The slogan: “So that healing finally tastes good”.
AIRATP: The metro takes off
RATP is playing the high card by announcing its 100% electric airline. The concept: cross Paris by air with your Navigo Pass.
The Puy de Dôme is moving
A surprising “geological” announcement: the famous Auvergne volcano would have slipped 3 meters towards the East following a micro-tremor.
Rouen: 100% naturist beach
The city of Rouen surprised its residents by announcing that its summer urban beach would switch to “mandatory nudity” mode for 2026.
Jazz in Vienna: The ancient escalator
The festival announced the installation of a modern escalator in the middle of the ancient theater to “facilitate access to the upper stands”. An archaeological sacrilege which made the purists react.
Amnesty International: Oil in Brussels
A “real-fake fish” action with the installation of a fake oil well at Mont des Arts to raise awareness about the exit from fossil fuels.
The Internet user “freewheeling”
The news site completely altered its homepage with absurd headlines and inverted information to test its readers’ discernment.
Ryanair becomes “serious”
The company published a press release announcing that it was becoming a premium airline with complimentary champagne and massage seats. The joke being, according to them, that they will never change.
