Tribute to Jean-Marie Le Pen: a ceremony under high surveillance in Paris

This Thursday, January 16, 2025, the Notre-Dame du Val-de-Grâce church, in the 5ᵉ arrondissement of Paris, was the scene of a tribute ceremony to Jean-Marie Le Pen, controversial figure of the French far right and co-founder of the Front National, who died on January 7 at the age of 96. The event, organized by his family, drew a dense and varied crowd of activists, supporters and political figures.

A highly symbolic ceremony

The mass, celebrated by Abbé Christophe Kowalczyk, a former military chaplain, was attended by many leading figures from the French far right. Marine Le Pen, accompanied by her sisters Marie-Caroline and Yann, led relatives in the tribute. Guests included Jordan Bardella, President of the Rassemblement National (RN), Éric Zemmour, Philippe de Villiers and Éric Ciotti. All currents of the extreme right were represented, including dissidents such as Bruno Mégret and Carl Lang. However, a number of controversial ultra-right figures, such as Thomas Joly and Yvan Benedetti, were turned away at the entrance to avoid any outbursts.

Outside the church, around two thousand people had gathered on the forecourt to watch the ceremony being broadcast on giant screens. Security was tight, with a large police presence to prevent any potential incidents.

An atmosphere of mourning and politics

The tribute alternated between solemn moments and speeches with strong political overtones. Marion Maréchal, granddaughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, took the floor to pay tribute to the memory of the man she called “Daddy”, while denouncing his detractors and calling for the persistence of her grandfather's ideas. Other close friends, such as Louis Aliot and Bruno Gollnisch, also took part in the religious readings.

The service included symbolic prayers such as the Paratroopers' Prayer or the one dedicated to Joan of Arc. Abbé Kowalczyk recalled that Jean-Marie Le Pen was a man “motivated by love of France”, while avoiding any discussion of his controversial political commitments.

A figure who continues to divide

This public tribute underscored the complexity of Jean-Marie Le Pen's legacy. While some praised his role in French political history and his influence on the nationalist camp, others criticized the ideas he embodied. Outside the church, celebrities such as Dieudonné expressed their admiration for the deceased while being kept at a distance by the organizers.

Despite potential tensions linked to the presence of radical militants or anti-fascist opponents, no major incidents were reported. The ceremony took place in a generally calm atmosphere, albeit one charged with emotion and political symbolism.

A controversial final farewell

Jean-Marie Le Pen had already been buried in his home town of La Trinité-sur-Mer in a private ceremony. This second Parisian tribute marks an attempt to unite the different bangs of the far right around a figure who marked several decades of political life in France. However, it also reflects the persistent divisions within this political camp and the debates surrounding his legacy.