Jean Jaurès in the 2nd arrondissement, Paris

The pacifist politician Jean Jaurès (1859–1914), born in Castres (Tarn), is a hugely important figure of the French left. An unbalanced nationalist student, Raoul Villain, fired two shots at point blank range at Jaurès through an open window as he was eating with colleagues at La Taverne du Croissant on the corner of rue Montmartre and rue du Croissant. He is buried in the Panthéon.

'ICI

LE
31 JUILLET 1914

JEAN JAURÈS

FUT

ASSASSINÉ

 

HOMMAGE DE LA LIGUE DES DROITS DE L'HOMME 1923'

 

Inside the café, on the other side of the plaque, is a small display remembering the man. Unfortunately the place was closed as we passed.

 

Below is a link to the wonderful Jacques Brel's tribute to Jaures:

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Jacques Brel: Jaurès