HE was born in the mountainous region of central France on December 12 in 1949. In 1968 he began teaching, a job he held until 1983. He then became a deputy secretary for Foreign Affairs by way of successfully completing the relevant examination.
Meet Gilles Montagnier, master of public law and counsellor for Foreign Affairs. He has also since December 2010 been ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary in Suva Fiji for the republic of France.
Montagnier says his joining France's diplomatic corp is the realisation of a wish to travel and at the same time serve his country. He was responding to a question on whether his being was a consequence of design or circumstance. As he says, it was a "firm decision".
The man who speaks French, English, Hindi, Spanish, Malaysian and Portuguese says "it is only fair that it (France) be represented here in Fiji, the biggest country in the region". In addition to being a European country, Montagnier says France is a "South Pacific country through its three overseas territories of New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna".
He says with a chuckle that a lot more people in Fiji need to learn to speak French.
On a more serious note, he says there can a co-operation in a lot of fields of endeavour. Or to "intensify" it as he puts it. Montagnier points out that relations between France and Fiji have always been friendly since our independence from Britain.
Despite the obvious differences between the two countries one might glean from socio-economic indicators, Montagnier says "it's not a question of offer". He said: "France and Fiji must co-operate closely so as to overcome the same challenges that we face in the Pacific. For example, climate change, sustainable development etc."
The embassy in Suva has always been supportive of co-operation and interaction between the French-speaking and English Pacific. In Fiji it has been big on supporting education and culture via support given to schools, universities, Fiji Museum, cultural and educational exchanges.
He has been ambassador to Fiji for almost two years and has about a year to go until the end of his tenure.
The man who has worked in Latin America, the US, Malaysia and Spain said settling in was not too much of a problem.
"It's very easy to settle and feel welcome in Fiji thanks to the friendliness of the people," said Montagnier.
He says he would like to be around come the elections in 2014.