Paul Barril: key obituary facts
Is Paul Barril dead? Yes. Paul Barril died on October 20, 2026, at age 80.
Cause of death: Paul Barril's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Paul Barril known for?
He was a French military officer.
More about Paul Barril
Born: 13 April 1946.
Place of birth: Vinay.
Gender: male.
Occupation: gendarme officer, consultant.
Nationality: France.
Education: Académie militaire de la Gendarmerie nationale.
Employer: National Gendarmerie, Groupe d'intervention de la gendarmerie nationale.
Awards: Knight of the National Order of Merit, Knight of the Legion of Honour.
Paul Barril, a French military officer and former National Gendarmerie officer, died on October 20, 2026, aged 80.
Born on April 13, 1946, in Vinay, he studied at the Académie militaire de la Gendarmerie nationale and served in the gendarmerie’s specialist units. From 1974 to 1982, he was second officer of the GIGN, serving under commander Christian Prouteau.
In late 1979, Barril was sent to Saudi Arabia to assist the government during the Grand Mosque seizure in Mecca. He served as interim commander of the GIGN in 1982 and 1983, while Prouteau organized the GSPR. During François Mitterrand’s first presidential term, from 1981 to 1988, Barril was involved in creating the Élysée’s counterterrorist cell. He remained a gendarme until 1995, then led several private security companies and worked as a consultant. In books about his military career, he addressed politically sensitive subjects associated with the Mitterrand era. His activities in Africa, particularly in Rwanda during the genocide, became controversial. Barril was named a Knight of the National Order of Merit and a Knight of the Legion of Honour.