Marc and Simonne Bloch in the Panthéon: Joint Honor for Historian and Resistance Fighter

Paris – 06/23/2026: Today, the prominent French historian Marc Bloch and his wife Simonne Vidal will be interred in the Panthéon. The honor is taking place 82 years after Bloch’s murder by the Gestapo in 1944 and recognizes both his outstanding scholarly work and his courage in the resistance. President Emmanuel Macron highlighted in his speech Bloch’s “work, teaching and courage” and emphasized the couple Bloch’s contribution to French history.

Marc Bloch, born in 1886, is regarded as one of the most influential historians of the 20th century. His research on medieval and French history has had a lasting impact on the discipline. As a soldier in World War I and later as a member of the French Resistance, he fiercely opposed the occupation by the National Socialists. In 1944, Bloch was arrested by the Gestapo, tortured, and executed shortly before the end of World War II.

Simonne Vidal, his wife, was not only his personal secretary and academic assistant but also actively supported him in the resistance. Together they dedicated their lives to the fight against oppression and the suspicion of collaboration. This partnership is given special recognition with their joint inclusion in the Panthéon.

The ceremony in the venerable Panthéon in Paris begins at 9 p.m. Already from 6:30 p.m., Rue Soufflot in the 5th arrondissement will be opened to the public to welcome participating guests and visitors. The event will be broadcast live on television on France 2 and on France.tv to allow as many people as possible to access it.

Starting June 25, the Panthéon will be accessible to visitors again. At the same time, a special exhibition entitled “Marc Bloch, l’esprit de l’Histoire” will be displayed in the crypt of the Panthéon. This exhibition lasts until January 10, 2027, and comprehensively covers Bloch’s life and work.

Another event is scheduled for July 3, 2026: A reading of Bloch’s famous work “L’Étrange Défaite” will be performed at the Panthéon by actor Xavier Gallais. This reading lasts about 70 minutes and brings Bloch’s thoughts on a historical turning point in French history back to life.

This joint honor in the Panthéon underscores the significance of Marc Bloch and Simonne Vidal for the memory of the resistance against National Socialism and for French intellectual history as a whole. They exemplify civic courage, scholarship, and the pursuit of freedom in the face of violence and oppression.