Vandalism on Jean-Marie Le Pen’s Grave: Shocking Damage in La Trinité-sur-Mer

During the night of January 30 to 31, 2025, an act of vandalism struck the grave of Jean-Marie Le Pen, co-founder of the National Front, at the La Trinité-sur-Mer cemetery in Morbihan. The tomb suffered significant damage, including the destruction of the Celtic cross that adorned the family vault and substantial harm to the memorial plaque. Philippe Olivier, Jean-Marie Le Pen’s son-in-law, stated that the tomb had been struck with a sledgehammer. No messages or inscriptions were found at the site.

Outraged Reactions and Investigation Opened

The act has sparked strong outrage. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the act as an “absolute abomination,” highlighting the lack of respect for the dead, which is a cornerstone of civilization. Marie-Caroline Le Pen, the deceased’s daughter, condemned the act as “unthinkable” and an attack on “what is most sacred,” while Marion Maréchal, Jean-Marie Le Pen’s granddaughter, expressed her anger and vowed to fight “always and even harder.”

An investigation has been opened for “violation of a burial site,” assigned to the Lorient police investigation unit. The Morbihan Prefecture has reactivated security measures at the cemetery, which had already been reinforced during the late far-right leader’s funeral on January 11.

Security Measures and Mourning

The cemetery was temporarily closed to allow for investigations before reopening in the afternoon. Several local residents came to pay their respects in front of the grave, now covered with a green tarp. Gendarmes remain present to ensure the site’s security, while the mayor of La Trinité-sur-Mer, Yves Normand, stated that the gendarmes were continuing their investigations without making further comments on the incident.

This act of vandalism on Jean-Marie Le Pen’s grave underscores the political polarization surrounding his figure and the sensitivity of events related to his legacy.