Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Palais du Tau, also known as the ancient bishopric of Angers, is a building whose origins date back to the ninth century, although its oldest preserved parts date back to the twelfth century. It leans on the Gallo-Roman wall of the third century, reusing one of its towers as a base. The two main bodies, arranged in the form of "T", were built under the episcopate of Ulger (first half of the 12th century): they housed stables, a synodal hall, a dungeon, and remains of a chapel. The materials used – brick, stone, tuft and shale – reflect the local techniques of the time.

In the 15th century, Bishop Hardouin of Bueil altered the covers and built in the south body a large room, today a library. At the beginning of the 16th century, François de Rohan undertook the reconstruction of the main staircase, which remained unfinished. The palace underwent a major renovation in the 17th century under Claude de Rueil, which transformed the synodal room into apartments and replaced medieval circular cuisine with a new kitchen upstairs. Michel Lepeletier, bishop around 1693, denatures the bays and decor of the synodal hall, while reconstructing the former secretariat for its dwellings.

The 19th century marked a complete restoration of the palace, led by architects such as Charles Joly-Leterme, who added a second courtyard (Oisery Street), completed Rohan's staircase, and raised the north body. Other architects (L. Duvetre, Ch. Roques, R-E. Dussouchay) and sculptors (Barême, Chapeau) take part in this work. The palace, classified as a Historical Monument in 1907, became a tapestry museum in 1910, then a diocesan house in 1954. Its Gallo-Roman remains, integrated into the structure, testify to the superposition of the epochs.

The building thus illustrates almost a thousand years of religious and architectural history, from its medieval bishopric role to its modern cultural functions. Materials (tuffeau, shale, brick) and techniques (arest vaults, screw stairs) reflect stylistic changes, while 19th century restorations, though controversial, preserved its structure. Today, there remains a major witness of the Angelian heritage, linked to the ancient enclosure and the nearby cathedral.

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