Claude Allègre, a prominent French scientist and former Minister of Education, has passed away at the age of 87. Known for his bold and often controversial opinions, Allègre served in Lionel Jospin's government from 1997 to 2000. A geochemist by training, he was awarded the prestigious Crafoord Prize in 1986 and the CNRS Gold Medal in 1994 for his groundbreaking work.

Later in life, he became a polarizing figure due to his climate skepticism, notably expressed in his 2014 book "L’imposture climatique.

" Allègre's political journey saw him shift from supporting the Socialist Party to backing Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. Remembered as a reformer and a man of strong convictions, his legacy remains both celebrated and debated.