On Monday, June 8, the city of Issy-les-Moulineaux paid final tribute to Mayor André Santini, who died on June 1. The funeral procession left the steps of City Hall and was followed by members of the municipal majority as it made its way to Saint-Etienne Church, where several hundred residents were already waiting. Many attendees were visibly moved, with voices in the crowd describing Santini as an unforgettable mayor, a remarkable public servant and a man who transformed the city.
Inside the church, 550 people gathered, including Santini’s family, friends and close associates. The ceremony also brought together representatives of several faith communities in the city and officials from public institutions. Among those present were Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region; Georges Siffredi, president of the Hauts-de-Seine department, who delivered a long tribute; Patrick Ollier, president of the Greater Paris Metropolis; and Senator Hervé Marseille, one of Santini’s closest political allies.
Several national political figures also attended the service, including Nicolas Sarkozy, François Bayrou, Gabriel Attal, former minister Jean-Louis Borloo and Françoise Gatel, France’s minister for territorial planning and decentralization. The religious ceremony was led by Bishop of Nanterre Matthieu Rougé, alongside priests from Issy’s parishes. Residents who could not enter the church followed the service in silence from the square in front of Saint-Etienne Church, where screens had been installed for the public. The ceremony was also broadcast live from Jules Guesde sports hall and on the IssyTV YouTube channel, which drew more than 10,000 viewers.
After more than an hour and a half, Santini’s coffin was taken to the cemetery of Issy-les-Moulineaux, where he was buried privately. The day marked the closing of a 46-year chapter of public service by a man widely seen as having left a lasting and deeply personal mark on the city.
