Paris celebrates World War II resistance figures, has them join Pantheon of national heroes

The coffin of French resistance figure Pierre Brossolette is carried by Republican Guards for a ceremony in the courtyard of the Sorbonne University in Paris, Tuesday May 26, 2015. The event Tuesday is part of two days of national ceremonies honoring the two women and two men, meant to symbolize French efforts against extremist violence in the past and today, four months after deadly terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere) (The Associated Press)

The coffin of French resistance figure Jean Zay is carried by Republican Guards for a ceremony in the courtyard of the Sorbonne University in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2015. The event Tuesday is part of two days of national ceremonies honoring the two women and two men, meant to symbolize French efforts against extremist violence in the past and today, four months after deadly terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere) (The Associated Press)

The coffins of French resistance figures Pierre Brossolette, Germaine Tillion, Genevieve de Gaulle-Anthonioz and Jean Zay are displayed for a ceremony in the courtyard of the Sorbonne University in Paris, Tuesday May 26, 2015. The event Tuesday is part of two days of national ceremonies honoring the two women and two men, meant to symbolize French efforts against extremist violence in the past and today, four months after deadly terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere) (The Associated Press)

Paris authorities are escorting coffins representing four World War II resistance figures through the French capital toward the Pantheon, the resting place of French heroes.

The event Tuesday is part of two days of national ceremonies honoring the two women and two men, meant to symbolize French efforts against extremist violence in the past and today, four months after deadly terrorist attacks left 20 dead in Paris.

Hearses bearing the coffins of Genevieve de Gaulle-Anthonioz, Germaine Tillion, Pierre Brossolette and Jean Zay are weaving through the Left Bank, escorted by guards on horses. French President Hollande will induct them formally into the Pantheon on Wednesday.

The coffins of the two women do not contain their remains but soil from their gravesites, because their families didn't want the bodies themselves moved.