Based on the large number of architectural designs in the portfolio, it was traditionally thought that Villard was a successful, professional, itinerant architect and engineer.[1] This view is largely rejected today, as there is no evidence of him ever working as an architect or in any other identifiable profession, and the drawings contain many inaccuracies and misunderstandings that would be surprising from a practicing architect. He was possibly trained as a metalworker.[2] Nonetheless, it is clear from his drawings that he was interested in architecture and that he traveled to some of the major ecclesiastical building sites of his day to record details of these buildings. His drawing of one of the west facade towers of Laon Cathedral and those of radiating chapels and a main vessel bay, interior and exterior, of Rheims Cathedral are of particular interest.