Biography

Jean-Paul Paris, nicknamed "Paname," was a French mountaineer who made his mark on the history of mountaineering in the 1960s and 1970s. An assistant professor at INSA Lyon, he played a key role in the discovery and development of Yannick Seigneur, a future great in French mountaineering. Together, they opened several difficult routes in the Vercors between 1962 and 1964. Jean-Paul Paris notably distinguished himself during the first winter ascent of the north face of Les Drus in 1967, a seven-day ascent made with Yannick Seigneur, Michel Feuillarade, and Claude Jager, which remains a benchmark in the history of French mountaineering. He also participated in the famous French expedition to Makalu in 1971, where he accompanied the team during the conquest of the west pillar, one of the great Himalayan achievements of the time. A discreet but respected figure, Jean-Paul Paris is recognized for his loyalty to the rope team, his commitment and his ability to help his companions progress, thus contributing to the growth of high-level French mountaineering.