A Princeton University professor tumbled to his death in a rock-climbing accident while vacationing in France, according to reports.

Steven Gubser, who taught physics, died when his rope snapped on Aug. 3 as he attempted to scale a summit near Chamonix, French outlet Le Messager reported.

The 47-year-old professor, who had been on vacation with his family, fell more than 300 feet to his death, according to news station KYW-TV.

“I am shocked and devastated by the untimely passing of Steve,” said Igor Klebanov, director of Princeton Center for Theoretical Science. “I have known him from the time when he, as a Princeton junior, enrolled in a graduate course I was teaching, and was by far the best student in the class.”

Gubser — who received the Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists — was an accomplished scholar in his field, studying string theory and black holes, school officials said.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters, KYW-TV reported.