French Army General overseeing Notre-Dame reconstruction dies in hiking accident
Jean-Louis Georgelin, the French army general appointed by President Emmanuel Macron to oversee the reconstruction of the fire-ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral, has tragically died while hiking in the Pyrénées. The body of the 74-year-old former chief of the defence staff was discovered by mountain gendarmes after he failed to return to a mountain refuge on Friday.
It is believed that Georgelin fell on Mount Valier, near the Faustin pass in the Ariège region of south-east France, at an altitude of 2,650 meters. The public prosecutor’s office in Foix confirmed on Saturday that the body had been formally identified and that the death was being treated as an accident.
President Macron expressed his condolences on Twitter, stating, “With the death of General Jean-Louis Georgelin, the nation has lost one of its great soldiers, France one of its great servants, and Notre-Dame the master manager of its renaissance.”
Georgelin, a graduate of France’s elite Saint-Cyr military academy, had an illustrious military career. He served in various capacities, including the infantry, a parachute regiment, and oversaw French military operations in Ivory Coast and Afghanistan. He was also the military chief of staff and special adviser to former French President Jacques Chirac from 2002 to 2006.
As a practicing Catholic, Georgelin was nominated to lead the restoration of Notre-Dame after it was severely damaged by fire in April 2019. Following the incident, President Macron made a pledge to rebuild the cathedral within five years, which many considered overly optimistic.
Georgelin saw his role as returning the cathedral to the Catholic religion in the best possible conditions. He acknowledged that people of “all persuasions” in France had wept to see the Paris landmark burn.
Known for his straightforward approach, Georgelin took a military stance in his role, designating himself as the chief of operations of a Notre-Dame “taskforce” and adopting the motto “Advance without procrastination.”
However, he faced criticism in 2019 when he told the Notre-Dame reconstruction’s chief architect, Philippe Villeneuve, to “shut his mouth” during a dispute over whether to replace the spire with an exact replica or a modern alternative. The incident led to a rebuke from the culture minister, Franck Riester, who described Georgelin’s outburst as “not acceptable” and emphasized the importance of respect in public officials.
Georgelin dismissed the incident, stating that there was no quarrel, only “respect and reciprocal esteem.”
The death of General Jean-Louis Georgelin is a significant loss for France, as he was not only a distinguished soldier but also a key figure in the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral. His dedication and military approach to the task will be remembered as the nation continues its efforts to rebuild this iconic landmark.
How did General Georgelin’s experience as an artillery officer and holding various command positions in the French Army contribute to his role as Chief of the Defence Staff?
As an artillery officer and held various command positions in the French Army. He was appointed as the Chief of the Defence Staff by President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2006 and served in that role until 2010.
After retiring from the military, Georgelin was chosen by President Macron to lead the reconstruction efforts of Notre-Dame Cathedral after it was severely damaged in a fire in April 2019. Under his supervision, the restoration project had been making progress, with plans to rebuild the spire and repair the damaged roof.
Georgelin’s sudden and tragic death has shocked the nation and left a void in the reconstruction efforts of Notre-Dame. President Macron praised Georgelin’s dedication and commitment to the country, calling him a “great soldier” and a “great servant” of France. His loss is deeply felt among his colleagues and the French public.
The investigation into Georgelin’s hiking accident is ongoing, and authorities are trying to determine the exact circumstances that led to his fall. The French army and the nation mourn the loss of a remarkable leader who dedicated his life to serving his country and overseeing the restoration of one of its most iconic landmarks.
Such a tragic loss of a talented leader. My condolences to his family and friends.
This is devastating news. My thoughts and prayers are with the French Army General’s loved ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed.