Marc Bloch is honored at the Pantheon: a resistance fighter and historian

Paris – 23.06.2026: Marc Bloch, one of the most important historians and fighters of the resistance of the 20th century, was posthumously welcomed to the Pantheon today. This symbolic gesture pays tribute not only to his scholarly work but also to his courage and his position in the fight against the German occupation during the Second World War.

Marc Bloch was born in 1886 in Lyon into a Jewish family and deeply influenced French historiography. After studying at the École normale supérieure in Paris, he was a professor of medieval history at the University of Strasbourg from 1919 to 1936. In 1929, together with Lucien Febvre, he founded the influential journal “Annales d’histoire économique et sociale,” which revolutionized historical research. Bloch focused his works, such as “La société féodale” and “L’étrange défaite,” on social and economic aspects, moving away from the traditional political and military history of the time.

With the onset of the Second World War, Bloch dedicated himself to active resistance against the German occupation. He participated in secret activities of the Résistance, was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944, and was executed by firing squad a few months later in Lyon. His energy and dedication made him a prominent figure of the French resistance.

The decision to welcome Marc Bloch to the Pantheon dates back to November 2024, initiated by President Emmanuel Macron. In the announcement, Macron highlighted Bloch’s “work, teaching, and courage,” calling him “one of the greatest historians of the 20th century.” The Bloch family initially showed caution, fearing possible political exploitation of his memory. In particular, his daughter Suzette emphasized a “pure and civil” ceremony, without religious or nationalist elements.

Today’s commemoration at the Pantheon saw the participation of numerous personalities from the political, scientific, and cultural worlds. A special gesture was the symbolic inclusion of Bloch’s wife, Simonne Vidal, who supported him not only in private life but also in his intellectual work. During the ceremony, explicit recognition was given to her.

At the end of the celebrations, actor Xavier Gallais read excerpts from Bloch’s famous work, “L’étrange défaite,” at the Pantheon, offering a view into his analysis of the French defeat of 1940. The tribute to Marc Bloch creates a link between the French scientific tradition, the spirit of resistance against oppression, and the values of the Enlightenment. The entry to the Pantheon preserves and honors his legacy as a scientific and moral model for future generations.