Aerial photo of grass field and tomb during daytime
Aerial photo of grass field and tomb during daytime Gabriel Ramos/Unsplash

A 47-year-old Moroccan national is facing deportation from France after he was caught on video lighting a cigarette using the Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The incident occurred on Monday, 4 August 2025, and has sparked national outrage due to the sacred significance of the memorial, which honours fallen French soldiers. French authorities swiftly intervened, arresting the man and initiating procedures to revoke his residency permit.

What Is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of France's most revered national monuments. Established in 1921, it pays tribute to the unidentified French soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. The memorial is located under the Arc de Triomphe in central Paris and is the site of official ceremonies commemorating the nation's military sacrifices.

A key feature of the monument is the Eternal Flame, first lit in 1923. The flame has burned continuously ever since, even during World War II, and is rekindled each evening by veteran groups. It serves as a powerful symbol of France's enduring remembrance of its war dead.

The Incident: Caught on Video

On the evening of 4 August, passersby recorded the man as he bent down to the Eternal Flame and used it to light a cigarette. The footage quickly went viral across social media platforms and was widely condemned by both the public and French officials.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the act as 'indecent and pathetic', while Patricia Miralles, the Minister Delegate for Veterans and Remembrance, called it 'an affront to the memory of those who died for France'. A formal complaint was filed with the Paris prosecutor following the incident.

Legal Action and Deportation Proceedings

French police arrested the individual shortly after the incident. Authorities later confirmed that the man is a Moroccan national, reportedly homeless and already known to law enforcement for previous offences including theft and vandalism, as reported by Morocco World News.

Officials are now moving to revoke his residency permit, citing Article 225-17 of the French Penal Code, which criminalises desecration of national memorials. Violations of this law can result in financial penalties, administrative consequences and potential imprisonment, especially when committed at sites of major historical or cultural significance.

The Ministry of the Interior confirmed that steps are underway to deport the man, stating that France will not tolerate disrespect toward monuments that commemorate those who have given their lives for the country, regardless of the offender's immigration status.

Public Reaction and Political Response

The defilement of the Eternal Flame has reignited public discourse around the protection of national heritage sites and the consequences of anti-social behaviour near sacred landmarks, according to Politico. The government's swift legal and administrative response reflects the cultural and historical weight the memorial holds in French society.

Beyond the immediate legal actions, the incident has also contributed to renewed discussions on immigration policy and public conduct, particularly concerning the integration of foreign nationals, the enforcement of laws governing public monuments, and the perceived erosion of respect for national symbols within increasingly diverse communities.

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