How a Gardois resident found himself rekindling the flame of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Un moment exceptionnel, dont Jean-Philippe Cavaillé se souviendra. Midi Libre – Correspondant

Âgé de 53 ans, Jean-Philippe Cavaillé, habitant de Codognon, a vécu un moment exceptionnel.

"It’is an immense honor for me to have participated in the rekindling of the flame of the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in the company of the flame committee, the Republican Guard, flag bearers, a drum and quite a few tourists. A moving moment that I will never forget…" 

Enthusiast of official ceremonies

Jean-Philippe Cavaillé still can’t believe it. Aged 53, this resident of Codognan has been, since his youth, a devotee of official ceremonies and even more of those relating to the duty of memory. "I am a true patriot, out of respect for the dead we have had, for traditions. I had inquired at the committee of The Flame Under the Arc de Triomphe, like that, without ever hoping that one day…" 

And, of course, when last week he went with his wife to Paris for a week's visit, he stopped by the Arc de Triomphe "to see. There I spoke with the mistress of ceremonies. I told him that after working in security at the Nîmes hospital, I was a municipal police officer in Marsillargues, that I was a Marshal of the Logis Chief of reserve in the gendarmerie, that I did regular periods in Vauvert's company, that I was also a trumpet player and that I participated in the official ceremonies of the police in Nîmes or the gendarmerie, notably during the taking of command in Aigues-Mortes last October by Léa Pernelle, squadron leader. And what the flame meant to me…"

A tradition since November 11, 1923

An argument that clearly hit the mark! "As she saw that I was passionate, she offered to revive it, which has been done solemnly every evening, at 6:30 p.m. precisely, since November 11, 1923.& ;quot; An unforgettable moment: "I was in heaven, it's not given to everyone!", admits, still dreaming for the moment, this enthusiast.