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by Kyrio 2576 days ago
> That's the professional bureaucrat overseeing the work e.g. an architect

I'm sorry but that's absolutely wrong. You don't become an Architecte en chef by promotion, it's a competitive exam that requires extensive knowledge of art history, ancient architecture and preservation/restoration techniques. Most architects with this title have businesses of their own, they're just specialized in restoration work rather than construction work, and they're assigned a number of territories to study and preserve their monuments (as long as they're state-owned). It's not, at all, about "navigating the civil service", and since they're architects, they're not overseeing any architects besides their own employees.
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brmgb 2576 days ago
> I'm sorry but that's absolutely wrong. You don't become an Architecte en chef by promotion, it's a competitive exam

No, Architecte et urbaniste de l'État is an exam (like everything regarding the civil service in France). Architecte en chef very much is a promotion. It's the grade following Architecte de l'État and preceding Architecte générale.

> Most architects with this title have businesses of their own

No, they are all civil servants and work for a minister.

> navigating the civil service

Yes, being promoted is very much about getting old and navigating the civil service. Architecte et urbaniste de l'État very much is a managing position with all it implies when you are working for the state.

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Kyrio 2576 days ago
You're confusing with Architecte des bâtiments de France. ACMH is a competitive exam and the Wikipedia page [1] can clear that up. I know several people who took it. It's just become very rare, like one every four years. It's definitely not a promotion, and unrelated to the ABF position (which is a part of AUE). But it is equivalent to being a civil servant, except you can have an architecture business of your own.

[1] https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecte_en_chef_des_monumen...

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brmgb 2576 days ago
Indeed I am. My apologies.
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p1esk 2576 days ago
Does he have relevant experience managing restorations of old cathedrals? Do you know someone more qualified for the job?
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