Not to our Hôtel du Panthéon (or the Hôtel des Grands Hommes next door either), but to the actual monument that both the hotels look onto. He’ll be unveiling a plaque in homage to Martinique-born poet Aimé Césaire who died on 17th April 2008 at the age of 94. Here’s all the info….

Yep, on the 6th April 2011 at 5pm, Nicolas Sarközy de Nagy-Bocsa will be in the crypt of the Panthéon, where he will unveil a plaque in homage to the memory of poet and politician Aimé Césaire. The ceremony has been agreed to by Césaire’s family after a it was suggested in several quarters that his remains be placed there (for the moment, no people of colour have their remains in the Panthéon). However, it was Césaire’s wish that his remain stay in Martinique, and a plaque is thus the compromise solution. It is common knowledge that Césaire and Sarkozy did not always see eye to eye.

As part of the year celebrating the French overseas territories (which we mentioned when telling you about the ongoing exhibition about Césaire, Lam & Picasso at the Grand Palais), it’s a pretty significant event, with live coverage on French TV and a special evening of programs following. Antiracist organisation SOS Racisme has called the plaque “an important gesture”.Two of our hotels overlook the Pantheon entrance, so some of our guests will have prime seats to see the President arrive and depart. For the rest of us, entrance to the Panthéon is free from 7th-10th April 2011 (instead of the usual 8€/5€). perhaps this would be a good time to visit for free and learn more about Aimé Césaire.