Slideshow: Le Pen supporters gather in Paris, turning a protest into a populist show of force

Supporters of Marine Le Pen, at a rally of the Rassemblement Nationale, Paris, Place Vauban, 6 April 2025. © RFI/Jan van der Made

Thousands of supporters of France's far right National Rally gathered on 6 April at Place Vauban, near the golden dome of Les Invalides and the tomb of Napoleon.

Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), has recently been convicted of embezzling European Union funds, resulting in a five-year ban from holding public office and a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended.

Denouncing the verdict as politically motivated, Le Pen addressed thousands of supporters at a rally on Sunday in Paris, near Les Invalides, portraying her conviction as a “witch hunt” and vowing to continue her political struggle.

The gathering, punctuated by chants of “Marine Présidente!” and defiant rhetoric, bore the hallmarks of a campaign rally, aimed at challenging France’s institutions and defending her prospects for the 2027 presidential election.

Supporters of Marine Le Pen gather at Place Vauban, 6 April 2025.

France's political parties hold rival rallies in the name of democracy