Café du Croissant
| Company type | Café |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Food and beverages |
The Café du Croissant, presently known as the Taverne du Croissant, is a café situated in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, France. It holds historical importance as the location where Jean Jaurès was assassinated by Raoul Villain on 31 July 1914.
In 1938, Albert Wiedmer, the café's proprietor, presented the marble plaque from the table at which Jaurès was killed to the local government of Champigny-sur-Marne, following a request from Mayor Albert Thomas (minister). This plaque was officially recognized as a Historic Monument in 1988. Nonetheless, the café continues to suggest that it possesses the original table, distinguished by a dark stain reputed to be Jaurès's blood.
The café preserves the memory of the assassination through various commemorations: a plaque installed in 1923 by the Human Rights League (France) embellishes the exterior; a mosaic on the floor in red and gold indicates the exact date and spot of Jaurès's murder; and a display case contains fragments of Jaurès’s chair, his hat pierced by a bullet, and editions of L'Humanité dated 31 July and 1 August 1914.
On 31 July 1984, President François Mitterrand paid a visit to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Jaurès's assassination, reflecting on his earlier homage in 1934. The establishment was reopened in 2011 under the name Taverne du Croissant. During the centennial observance in 2014, President François Hollande and Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel attended, with a special commemorative menu offered by the restaurant.