It was with great emotion that I learned of the death of Pierre-André Lablaude.
Winner of the 1981 competition of the chief architects of historical monuments and former inspector general of historical monuments, he worked particularly for the restoration of the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel and especially that spectacular of its spire. He also led the restoration of the abbey of Royaumont, the castles of Villarceaux and La Roche-Guyon in the Val-d'Oise, as well as that of the castle of Farcheville in the Essonne.
Appointed Chief Architect of the National Domain of Versailles in 1990, he led the restoration of the Orangerie, the Petit Trianon, the park and the gardens.
A knight of the Legion of Honour, a commander in the Order of Arts and Letters, a teacher at the École de Chaillot and a great servant of the State, he made a profound contribution to reflections on the restoration of historic monuments.
He has also led expert missions for UNESCO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to safeguard the monuments of Angkor-Vat in Cambodia and Chile.
I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Pierre-André Lablaude, including his wife Colette di Matteo, honorary general curator of heritage and former inspector general of historic monuments.