French General Leading Notre-Dame Restoration Dies at 74
General Jean-Louis Georgelin, the French general responsible for overseeing the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, has tragically passed away at the age of 74. The French authorities have confirmed his death, which is believed to have occurred during a hiking accident in the Pyrénées region of southwestern France. The exact circumstances surrounding the accident remain unclear.
Gen. Georgelin, a former army chief of staff, was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron to lead the complex restoration project after a devastating fire engulfed the iconic cathedral in April 2019. The fire caused extensive damage, destroying the ancient timbers of Notre-Dame’s attic and threatening the stability of the historic stone structure that has graced the heart of Paris for eight centuries.
In the aftermath of the fire, President Macron vowed that Notre-Dame would be rebuilt within a period of five years. General Georgelin was entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing this ambitious timeline after being appointed as the president of the public establishment overseeing the restoration project in late 2019.
The passing of General Georgelin, an esteemed soldier and highly respected figure, has been met with deep sorrow and condolences from the French nation. President Macron expressed his grief, stating that the nation has lost one of its greatest soldiers, France one of its great servants, and Notre-Dame the architect of its rebirth.
General Georgelin quickly became the public face of the cathedral’s reconstruction, ensuring that the project remained on track despite challenges such as lead contamination and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership and expertise were instrumental in progressing the restoration efforts.
The restoration of Notre-Dame aims to reopen the cathedral for religious services in December 2024, with the majority of the internal reconstruction set to be completed by that time. The painstaking process of rebuilding has already begun, with scaffolding being erected to reconstruct the spire’s wooden framework. Stained-glass windows and organ parts that were meticulously cleaned of lead dust have also been returned to the site.
While investigations into the cause of the fire are still ongoing, it may never be definitively determined. Electrical short-circuiting or a discarded cigarette are among the leading theories. Throughout the restoration, General Georgelin emphasized the incorporation of innovative fire prevention measures and cutting-edge technologies to ensure the safety of the cathedral in the future.
General Jean-Louis Georgelin leaves behind an indelible legacy as a devoted servant to both France and the Roman Catholic Church. His loss is deeply felt by his colleagues, who remember him as a man of authority and a highly respected figure. A Mass in his honor will be held at the Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois church in Paris.
As the restoration of Notre-Dame continues, the memory of General Georgelin’s contributions will endure. His commitment to rebuilding the iconic cathedral has left an indelible mark on the restoration project, ensuring that Notre-Dame will rise once again, reinvigorating the Parisian skyline and continuing its legacy for generations to come.
