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-west 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 mourned the loss of the iconic Paris landmark.
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 chief architect of the Notre-Dame reconstruction, 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 symbol of French heritage.
What were some of the roles and positions held by General Georgelin throughout his military career?
Positions, including commander of the 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment and director of the Joint Plans and Operations Centre at the French Ministry of Defense. In 2006, he was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff, the highest-ranking military position in France.
Following the devastating fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in April 2019, President Macron handpicked Georgelin to lead the reconstruction efforts. As head of the public institution overseeing the restoration, Georgelin was responsible for coordinating the numerous stakeholders involved in the project, including architects, historians, and construction workers.
However, tragedy struck when Georgelin met his untimely demise during a hiking trip in the Pyrénées. After failing to return to a mountain refuge, his body was discovered by mountain gendarmes. He is believed to have fallen on Mount Valier, a mountain in the Ariège region of south-west France.
The public prosecutor’s office in Foix has confirmed that Georgelin’s death is being treated as an accident. The loss of the 74-year-old general has sent shockwaves throughout France, with President Macron leading the nation in mourning.
In a heartfelt message on Twitter, Macron expressed his condolences and acknowledged the significant role Georgelin played in the reconstruction efforts of Notre-Dame. He described Georgelin as one of France’s great soldiers, a dedicated servant to the nation, and the master manager of Notre-Dame’s renaissance.
Georgelin’s death is a tremendous loss for the French military and the nation as a whole. His dedication, leadership, and expertise will be sorely missed, especially in the ongoing efforts to rebuild and restore the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral.
My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and everyone involved in the Notre-Dame reconstruction project. Such a tragic loss.