The remains of Charles-Etienne Gudin have returned to French soil more than 200 years after his death during Napoleon’s disastrous Russia campaign, reports RFI.
The repatriation is thanks to an ally of former leader of the far-right National Front, Jean-Marie Le Pen.
The Airbus A320 carrying the coffin of General Charles-Etienne Gudin de la Sablonnière landed at Le Bourget airport on Tuesday afternoon where the minister for veterans, Geneviève Darrieussecq, will preside over the ceremony.
Gudin was a veteran of both the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, distinguishing himself in several battles, including Wagram in 1809.
In 1812, aged 44, he was hit by a cannonball during the battle of Valutina Gora, 20 kilometres east of Smolensk during the French invasion of Russia.
He had to have his leg amputated and died three days later of gangrene.
Admired for his commando skills, he was one of Napoleon’s favourite generals.