Man Slammed After Using Eternal Flame At Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier To Light Cigarette

A man from Morocco is now facing the possibility of losing his French residency after he was seen lighting a cigarette at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier — a sacred war memorial in Paris.

The memorial, located at the iconic Arc de Triomphe, is dedicated to an unidentified World War I soldier and honors all who served in the French Army. It's one of the most visited and symbolic sites in the country.

Since November 11, 1920, the tomb has held a powerful presence. Just two years later, journalist and poet Gabriel Boissy suggested the idea of an eternal flame — known as the Flame of Remembrance — which was lit for the first time on November 11, 1923. It has burned continuously ever since, without being extinguished.

While the gravesite often draws crowds of respectful visitors, one man crossed the line in a shocking way. He reportedly stepped past the memorial’s rope barrier and used the eternal flame to light his cigarette.

The disturbing incident was captured on video and quickly went viral online. It caught the attention of officials, including France’s Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau.

President Emmanuel Macron gave a speech beside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier earlier this year THOMAS SAMSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

As the video left many people outraged, Retailleau confirmed the man had been taken into custody.

In a post shared on Twitter (translated), he wrote: "The man who desecrated the tomb of the Unknown Soldier by lighting a cigarette with the eternal flame was arrested in Paris for violating a burial site, tomb, urn, or monument erected in memory of the dead."

"He was taken into custody and admitted to the facts. Following the report made by the Police Prefect (Article 40 of the CPP), he will be brought before the courts. This unworthy and deplorable act undermines the memory of those who died for France."

According to Politico, French authorities later announced that the man, who is 47 years old, would have his residency permit revoked following the incident.

French news outlet Le Figaro added that the man is not a stranger to police. He reportedly has a record of previous offenses.

Patricia Miralles, who serves as France’s deputy minister for Memory and Veterans' Affairs, was among the many voices expressing outrage over the video.

She described the act as completely disrespectful and shocking.

Bruno Retailleau made clear the man would face action X/@BrunoRetailleau

In her response on Twitter, Miralles wrote: "Walking on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Lighting his cigarette with the eternal flame.

"This is not a mere misstep: it is a desecration. France will never tolerate the tarnishing of the memory of those who died for her. Never."