Robert Badinter enters the Panthéon: Paris bows out in 2025

Our editorial team looks back on a moment of national history: Robert Badinter’s entry into the Panthéon on October 9, 2025. This tribute, orchestrated by President Emmanuel Macron, consecrates the man who put an end to the death penalty in France. The images of the solemn ceremony, broadcast live from Paris, left a lasting impression, as did the President’s words celebrating a “France faithful to its values”. The event, rare and highly symbolic, was in keeping with the tradition of great republican tributes.
A national tribute to the 20th-century humanist
A moral and political figure, Robert Badinter leaves an incomparable legacy. Minister of Justice in 1981, he introduced the law abolishing capital punishment. Forty-four years later, his remains join those of Simone Veil and Victor Hugo in the Panthéon, the secular temple of the Republic. His wife, Elisabeth Badinter, was present at the ceremony to listen to the president’s speech evoking “these great unfinished battles”. With this induction, Paris remembered a man of justice and courage.
The emotion on site was palpable. According to protocol, the ceremony was held in the Place du Panthéon, in front of thousands of hand-picked guests. No detail was left to chance – neither in the staging, nor in the choice of words. International media such as France 24 and Le Monde relayed this moment of national history in real time, confirming the universal dimension of this republican symbol.
A symbol of freedom and justice
Robert Badinter’s voice, integrated into the ceremony, resounded under the dome of the Panthéon. We heard his historic plea: “Justice does not call for death”. Today, this phrase resounds like a testament. For jurists and historians, the event reaffirms France’s unique place in the defense of human rights. According to our observations, the emotion was shared even on the benches of the French National Assembly, where the former President of the Constitutional Council remains an inspiring figure.
This celebration also marks the start of a major exhibition devoted to his career, entitled “Robert Badinter, Justice at Heart”. Scheduled to run from October 11, 2025 to March 8, 2026, it will occupy the halls of the Panthéon and feature previously unseen archives. It will enable visitors to better understand the profound role of the man behind the politician. Insiders are already talking of a major event in Paris’ cultural calendar.
The values of a fight that’s still relevant today
Official speeches recalled the dual facets of his commitment: the abolition of the death penalty and the defense of civil liberties, notably the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1982. At a time when these achievements are being called into question in certain parts of the world, the French example remains crucial. Young jurists interviewed on site spoke of an inspirational figure “for an entire generation of lawyers and magistrates”.
The spotlight on his political legacy has sparked fresh debate in the French National Assembly. Several voices are now calling for a strengthening of republican legal culture in national education. This desire to pass on the legacy is in line with the objectives of the forthcoming exhibition. Paris, aware of its legal heritage, is pursuing justice education at the heart of its cultural institutions.
“As we enter the Pantheon, we can still hear his voice defending these great unfinished battles,” said Emmanuel Macron at the ceremony on October 9, 2025.
A symbolic commemoration under tight security
The ceremony took place against a backdrop of heightened security following the recent acts of vandalism at Robert Badinter’s grave. The Ministry of the Interior confirmed the exceptional mobilization of 800 police officers in the area. Despite the tension, the organization was exemplary. Paris, guardian of the republican heritage, was able to combine emotion and rigor. No incident disrupted the procession.
Observers particularly noted the visual sobriety of the event. Tricolored flags framed the entrance to the Panthéon, while a stunned silence accompanied the entry of the coffin. Emmanuel Macron, surrounded by French and foreign dignitaries, paid tribute at length to the memory of the former minister. The ceremony ended with the national anthem, played in unison.
“Robert Badinter gave French justice a face,” confides Jean-Denis Bredin, lawyer and long-time friend.
A living legacy and a forthcoming exhibition
Since October 2025, the Panthéon has been a place of active remembrance. The new exhibition dedicated to Robert Badinter will immerse visitors in his life, from the 1981 law to his humanist commitments. Visitors will discover manuscripts, photos and extracts from historic hearings. This ambitious project also showcases the young generation of lawyers who carry on his ideals.
The symbolism of this pantheonization goes beyond the national framework. It illustrates France’s unique relationship with its founding principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. This ceremony, which has been awaited for years, reinforces the Pantheon’s role as a place of republican unity. For many Parisians, it reaffirms the moral grandeur of a country faithful to its battles. At a time when the world is questioning justice, Robert Badinter remains an essential ethical compass.
Practical information
Address: Panthéon, Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris. Metro: Luxembourg (RER B) or Cardinal Lemoine (line 10). Opening hours: daily, 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Exhibition: October 11, 2025 to March 8, 2026, standard admission €13 (concessions €10). Site: www.paris-pantheon.fr.
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