General Jean-Louis Georgelin, the distinguished leader spearheading the restoration efforts of Notre-Dame de Paris following a catastrophic fire three years ago, met a tragic end during a hiking expedition in the Pyrenees. The news of his untimely demise was reported by French media outlets and later confirmed by President Emmanuel Macron.
General Georgelin's passing has cast a somber pall over the ongoing efforts to resurrect the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, which had been closed for renovation since a devastating blaze consumed its roof and toppled its spire in April 2019.
Mountain police found the remains of Jean-Louis Georgelin, 74 years old and previously the head of the defense forces when he did not come back to a mountain refuge on August 18. It is believed that he had an accident and fell on Mount Valier, close to the Faustin pass in the Ariège region of south-eastern France, at a height of 2,650 meters.
President Macron expressed his grief on social media platform X, stating;
"The nation loses one of its great soldiers. France, one of its great servants. And Notre-Dame, the architect of its revival."
The cathedral, an esteemed landmark, and symbol of France's rich history, has captivated hearts worldwide. The inferno that raged through its architectural marvels left Parisians and global spectators aghast.
General Georgelin, a 74-year-old army general, had been chosen to helm the restoration efforts in the aftermath of the fire. Authorities had set their sights on reopening the cathedral by 2024, in time for the Olympic Games to be hosted by the French capital.
General Georgelin's leadership had been pivotal in steering the reconstruction project towards its intended outcome - reinstating Notre-Dame's former grandeur and significance. The cathedral's revival will include the restoration of the 96-meter (315-foot) spire, a masterpiece designed by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc during the mid-1800s. His unwavering commitment to preserving the heritage of Notre-Dame garnered him respect both nationally and internationally.
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