Naval architect Eric Levet serves as one of the key pillars of the Marc Lombard agency, which comprises nine partners operating from the marina of La Rochelle. His expertise offers insight into an indispensable profession within the boating industry that continues to evolve with modern challenges.

Levet represents a relatively recent tradition in naval architecture - barely a century old - for the practice of the profession in full autonomy. This tradition follows in the wake opened by the legendary Nathanael Herreshoff, who bent over the plans of racing machines crafted for the America's Cup. The modern naval architect has walked in the footsteps of the marine carpenter, who instinctively combined knowledge of navigation and construction.

Today's naval architects practice their art in front of computer screens, juggling between dedicated software programs. However, at the Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group agency, they maintain that the fundamentals haven't changed. "We provide a construction plan file that can be directly used in the workshop," explains Eric Levet. The man is one of nine partners in the agency that was brought to life by Marc Lombard more than forty years ago.

United under the umbrella of a SCOP (worker production cooperative society), the team works closely together in the historic premises of the structure, located in the Sextant building of Les Minimes, overlooking the basins of the La Rochelle port. Eric Levet joined the agency in the early 1990s, when computer technology was still struggling to dethrone the drawing table.

Thirty years later, the profession has taken an ultra-technological turn. However, the architect insists on preserving the artisanal memory of his craft - the kind that comes from the experience of a navigator who knows the constraints that a piece must withstand at sea. This hands-on knowledge remains crucial even in an increasingly digital world.

Following in the footsteps of its founder, the Marc Lombard agency has carved out a solid reputation in the world of offshore racing through the services provided to skippers like Philippe Jeantot and Catherine Chabaud. This specialization in competitive sailing has allowed the firm to push the boundaries of naval architecture while maintaining the practical knowledge essential for creating vessels that can withstand the demanding conditions of ocean racing.