A French historian shot himself in the head at the altar of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris today in what is thought to have been a protest against gay marriage legislation in France.
Far-right essayists and radio Catholic radio presenter Dominique Venner, 78, placed a pistol in his mouth and shot himself dead in front of tourists inside the most visited building in France.
Earlier in the day Mr Venner, was also a former member of the nationalist OAS terrorist movement, posted an essay on his website calling for "new, spectacular and symbolic actions to shake us out of our sleep, to jolt anaesthetised minds and to reawaken memory of our origins".
In addition to staunch criticism of gay marriage, the essay referenced concerns over apparent increases in Islamic influences in France and wider Europe.
Mr Venner placed a letter on the altar before shooting himself, and the cathedral was immediately evacuated and closed for four hours.
Notre Dame attracts 13 million visitors a year and was packed with tourists at the time of the suicide.
Legislation permitting same-sex marriage in French town halls was approved last month and signed into law by President François Hollande last week.
