Jacques Chirac's former school holds a minute of silence French Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer attends a minute of silence as a tribute to Jacques Chirac at the high school Louis-le-Grand high school. The former French president, who died on 26 September, studied at this high school in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. All public institutions and schools observed the national day of mourning Monday with a minute of silence. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES.