André Citroën Soon to be in the Pantheon?

What if the Republic finally recognized that an industrialist like André Citroën deserves to be honored just as much as a man of letters?

At a time when automobile and politics are colluding for the worst in the United States, André Citroën, founding father of one of France’s automotive flagships, embodies with brilliance the most beautiful idea one can have of the automotive industry. His name, although rarely mentioned in media debates, seems to resonate with increasing insistence in the President’s ear and a petition has been launched. However, the absence of industrialists among the current 87 occupants of the Panthéon could hinder this proposal, which at first glance does not seem anachronistic. This is the essence of the crusade undertaken by Henri-Jacques Citroën, the grandson of the founder of the chevron-shaped firm.

Because the life of André Citroën and his work deserve to be explored. Son of Jewish immigrants, a Polish mother and a Dutch father, he was born in Paris in 1878. His naturalization at the age of 18, a voluntary act, marked the beginning of an exemplary career within the republican model. A student at Polytechnique, he discovered in Poland an innovative gear-cutting process, which he perfected before industrializing it in France. A visionary, he absorbed Fordism in the United States to modernize production methods in Europe.

But Citroën is not just about technical innovation. He focused on reorganizing the production model and integrating social demands, anticipating a model where well-being at work and productivity are intertwined. A bold vision for his time. Through the Citroën brand, he permanently transformed the French industry, introduced unprecedented practices, democratized the automobile, and made French excellence shine. His life symbolizes successful integration, entrepreneurial genius, and attachment to the values of the Republic.

If Citroën had been American, there is no doubt he would be celebrated alongside Henry Ford. So, why not give him the ultimate symbol of national recognition with a place at the foot of the Mont Sainte-Geneviève?

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