Macron expresses condolences for the accidental death of the Director of the Restoration Engineering at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and former Chief of the French Military General Staff. Military | Fall | Macron | Salute | Restoration | Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris | France | Georgelin
According to the Associated Press and The Guardian on August 19th, General Jean Louis Georgelin, former Chief of the French Military General in charge of supervising the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74. French President Macron issued a statement paying tribute to him. According to an investigation by relevant institutions, he is suspected to have accidentally fallen while hiking in the Pyrenees Mountains.
French President Macron said in a statement, "We pay tribute to one of France's greatest soldiers and greatest servants, who is slowly restoring the beauty of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. We will always remember him."
Rescue agencies stated that on the 18th, George Lin was hiking in the Pyrenees Mountains but has not returned yet. The rescue team went to search and found his body. According to local media citing regional prosecutors, George Lin is likely to have slipped and died.
In 2019, the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was burned down in a fire, and Macron appointed Georgelin to lead the restoration work. Before being transferred to supervise the reconstruction of the cathedral, Georgelin served as the Chief of the French Military General Staff, responsible for French military operations in Afghanistan, the Balkans, and other regions.
Macron also sighed, "The general cannot see Notre Dame Cathedral reopen with his own eyes." But he added that when Notre Dame Cathedral reopens at the end of 2024, "he will be with us."
According to reports, when George Lin led the restoration project, he recruited craftsmen from all over France to use traditional medieval techniques and materials for restoration, and transported the repaired spire piece by piece to the top of the cathedral. Earlier this year, Georgelin stated in an interview, "The restoration work can also be seen as a tribute to all the craftsmen in France."
George Lin was born on August 30, 1948, and attended the famous Saint Cyr Military Academy. He later served in the infantry, paratroopers, and military intelligence departments. Georgelin attended the United States Army Command and Staff College and later became the private military chief of staff of the late French President Chirac, serving as the chief of staff of the French army from 2006 to 2010.