ABSTRACT
On August 12, 1870, Viollet-le-Duc wrote to offer his services to the French General Jules-Henri Soumain, commander of the Place de Paris, in the war with Prussia that had broken just a month earlier. Now aged 56, head of a family, and the most eminent restoration architect of his time, Viollet-le-Duc had no obligation to join the army. If he wished to participate in the war effort, he could have been content to assume an advisory role to the Comité des fortifications, and remain in the safety of military headquarters in Paris. But as soon as he sensed his country was in danger, Viollet-le-Duc the patriot could not stay away from the action.
