High-voltage pulse generator comprising a plurality of stages and an electrode (ELR) for returning current to earth, connected in series, each of the stages comprising at least one energy storage element (C1, C2, C3, C4) connected in series with a spark gap (E1, E2, E3, E4), characterised in that the spark gaps are distributed on an axis (Z), the odd-numbered energy storage elements (C1, C3) are arranged on one side of the spark gap axis, and the even-numbered energy storage elements (C2, C4) are arranged on the other side of the spark gap axis, such that the circuit formed by the plurality of stages and the current return electrode have a reduced inductance during a discharge phase of the generator, with respect to a generator comprising the same components laid out according to a conventional architecture.