The memorial for Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was known for his racist and antisemitic remarks, comes as the National Rally has become the driving force in French politics.

Once called the 'most hated man in France', Le Pen maintained that his ideas were simply 'ahead of their time'

(AP Photo/Olivier Boitet, File) FILE - National Front party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, left, pats a horse ridden by Francoise, posing as Joan of Arc, Thursday May 1, 1997 during a party rally.

The death of French fascist leader Jean-Marie Le Pen was accompanied by cloying tributes from fascists, conservatives and liberals alike, writes Olly Haynes – quite a send-off for a man once described as the ‘devil’ of French politics.