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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The former Chaplaincy of Saint-Martin, located at 5 rue Rapin in the Old Towers, is a building whose origins date back to the last quarter of the 15th century. The main house body, characteristic of this period, is accompanied by a polygonal tower housing a stone staircase. This tower is distinguished by a basket handle door, surmounted by a braid and pinacles, architectural elements typical of flamboyant Gothic art. These ornamental details testify to the care given to the construction, probably linked to an important charitable or religious function in the medieval city.

In the 17th century, the monument was enlarged with the addition of a building of communes north of the courtyard, accessible by a terrace supported by two arcades. This terrace, equipped with a wrought iron guard dated 1677, illustrates the evolution of architectural styles towards more classic and utilitarian forms. Together, combining medieval heritage and classical additions, reflects the urban and social transformations of Tours between the Middle Ages and the modern era.

The Chaplaincy of Saint Martin was included in the inventory of historical monuments by order of 8 July 1946. This protection applies specifically to facades, roofs and wrought iron balustrade, elements considered representative of its history and architecture. The monument is thus part of the tourism heritage, alongside other religious and civil buildings in the Centre-Val de Loire region, marked by a rich medieval and reborn past.

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