An architect who died 140 years ago is the key to the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral

Eugene Viollet-le-Duc is always the man to talk to when it is time to restore the Notre-Dame cathedral., even though he died almost 140 years ago.

Young Parisian architect, Viollet-le-Duc decided to devote his life to the preservation of cathedrals, monasteries and palaces damaged over the centuries. French Revolution and whose condition has further deteriorated during the economic crisis of the early nineteenth century.

That's more than 20 years of work at Notre Dame, already highly appreciated for their vision and details, they could be on the verge of giving their greatest fruits. Now that the Gothic cathedral has attracted the attention of the whole world for a fire that has greatly damaged it, the incomparable notes and drawings of Viollet-le-Duc will give contemporary architects a guide on how they performed their work in the mid-nineteenth century.

Jean-Charles Forgeret, expert of Viollet-le-Duc in the archives of the historical monuments of the MAP, where are preserved the multiple drawings, notes and plans of the architect, knows that many works wait for him. Viollet-le-Duc was a tireless worker, very careful of details and used to keeping what he produced for his study. The renovation he undertook at Notre-Dame extended from 1845 to 1865, says Forgeret.

"He left us a very important documentation. We have the letters and the work journal in which he wrote every day what was happening on the site."Forgeret said The badociated press in an interview

Huge plans and watercolors of architectural details invade the drawers of the archives. A map details each stone placed in the renovation works supervised by Viollet-le-Duc, indicating its location and type.

Viollet-le-Duc also designed the distinctive needle that collapsed Monday in the middle of a fireball.

Contemporary restaurants will have more than the drawings of Viollet-le-Duc to consult, because many studies have been conducted over the years. Our Lady.

Even though the construction teams are working to support the weakened building, the speculation of which version of the Notre Dame needle will be the model for reconstruction. On occasion, Viollet-le-Duc was ridiculed for being too interventionist in his restorations. the pointed needle was definitely his creation.

"The needle that he built was a 19th century needle, let's be clear," said Forgeret. "It's a 19th century creation, but inspired by everything I knew, all of its science and all its knowledge of the Middle Ages."

French President Emanuel Macron has set a goal of rebuilding Notre Dame in five years, from here to Paris, where the summer Olympics will be held in 2024. For Viollet-le-Duc, would have been an impressive feat, said Forgeret.

"We are talking about 20 years in the 19th century for the cathedral to be completely restored. Five years seems very little to me"he said.