Paris Olympics poster criticized for removing cross from Napoleon's grave

Ugo Gattoni, the artist behind the work, said the landmarks were depicted in a surreal and festive universe

French conservatives attacked the Official A Paris Olympics poster commemorating the removal of the cross from Napoleon's tomb as the government considers locating a Saudi «Olympic village» at the historic landmark.

Two Art Deco posters depicting the City of Love were unveiled. we'll be promoting the 2024 games this week, with the artwork gracing billboards across Paris.

But right-wing critics have criticized the «woke» designs for not including the cross that sits atop Les Invalides .

It comes amid outrage from both conservatives and liberals after one of Emmanuel Macron's ministers confirmed Paris was «sympathetic» to Saudi Arabia's request for a national pavilion in the middle of a military complex.

The Paris Olympics will go ahead with July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 28.

«Recognizable at first sight»

Ugo Gattoni, a French artist, designed promotional posters featuring major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais and Invalides, and were presented on Monday.

I note that the illustration does not show a cross on Francois-Xavier Bellamy from the right-wing Republican party accused the designers of the building in which Napoleon's tomb is located of being “ready to deny France, going so far as to distort reality in order to cancel its history.” .

Meanwhile, Marion Marechal of the far-right party Reconquete (Reconquest) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “What is the point of holding the Olympic Games in France if we then hide who we are?”

Responding to the controversy, Mr. Gattoni said he had rendered the buildings «as they appear to me » intelligence without any ulterior motives.»

«I do not aim to make them faithful to the originals, but rather to make them recognizable at first glance, placing them in a surreal and festive universe,» he added.

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The organizing committee said the posters were “a light-hearted interpretation of a reinvented stadium city.”

A surfing wave is visible «off the shore of the Marseille pier»; The Eiffel Tower is pink; The metro passes through the Arc de Triomphe, and none of these events should be subject to politically motivated interpretations,» it added.

Historic site of potential Saudi 'Olympic village'

The furore comes amid protests following possible government plans Macron to build on the territory of the Invalides, which is called the Saudi “Olympic village”.

The historic site is home to the Army and Legion of Honor museums and a hospital for war wounded, and state memorial ceremonies and funerals are held in the courtyard of his home.

Plans for the pavilion, which was to be installed in May and remain in place for four months, were compiled after Nathalie Serre, a Conservative MP, demanded information in a parliamentary question.

Sebastien Lecornu, the defense minister, said the government was «sympathetic» to the proposal, adding that «Saudi Arabia is committed to respecting the security and financial measures of the Invalides» and that Riyadh is an «important defense partner.»

He said several countries would open pavilions in the city.

The proposal was criticized as an example of pandering to the Gulf state by both Marine Le Pen's National Rally and the long-distance movement . -left party of Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Ms Serre said a foreign country would be out of place in «an architectural treasure full of symbolism and history of our country.»

She said: «There are some things that don't sell and, in my opinion, Les Invalides is one of them.»

The Defense Ministry said the deal was subject to «strict conditions, which the Saudis have not yet accepted, which must guarantee the safety and solemnity of the site, as well as peace among the residents.» resident pensioners.»