Robert Badinter, justice at the heart

A few days after his induction into the Panthéon, the exhibition “Robert Badinter, Justice at the Heart” opens its doors in the crypt of the monument. This exceptional initiative retraces the remarkable career of the lawyer, politician, and defender of the rule of law, from his family origins marked by the Holocaust to his iconic fight against the death penalty. The curatorship by Eric Fottorino proposes a three-part journey, exploring the influence of guiding figures such as Zola, Hugo, and Condorcet on Badinter’s commitment. Rare documents, photographs, and personal testimonies, drawn from the artist’s own collection, offer an intimate look at the key moments of his life and action. The exhibition highlights his decisive role in the abolition of the death penalty in 1981, as well as his struggles for the independence of justice and the humanization of prisons. A poignant tribute to a man whose moral integrity inspired generations.