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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Saturnin de Tours, located on Rue Littré in the Old Towers, is the only remaining vestige of the old convent of Carmelites. Founded at the end of the 13th century in the suburb of Riche, this convent was moved in 1324 to Châteauneuf, on a plot already housing a 13th century chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame-de-Pitié. The present church, built in 1473, replaces the first convent church (consecrated in 1344) of which there is no visible trace. It became a parish after the destruction of the ancient St.Saturnin church during the Revolution.

The church architecture reflects two distinct epochs: the south side, arched in third-point dogives, illustrates the Gothic style of the 15th century, while the north side, with its vaults in basket cove, dates from the 19th century (thousands 1864). The interior decoration, the stained glass (1890), and the stalls from Cormery Abbey testify to subsequent changes. Bay #4 even preserves stained glass fragments from Chenonceaux Castle. The convent, partially destroyed after 1791, was sold as national property, and the church reopened to worship in 1824.

Classified as a historical monument in 1947, the church of Saint Saturn bears the marks of its turbulent history: reconstruction under Louis XI (late 15th century), works in the 17th and 18th centuries, and restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries. The medieval fortifications, formerly adjacent, were demolished in 1736. Today, only the northern foothills of the nave and three capitals (moved to the archaeological museum of Touraine) recall the extent of the original Conventual complex.

Among the notable elements, the glass window of the bedside, made by Jean de Paris in 1476, represented the life of the Virgin. The coats of arms of Louis XI and his courtiers, visible in the building, underline the royal patronage. The 19th-century transformations, such as the addition of the north side (1819) or the restoration of the west façade (1850) by Gustave Guérin, shaped his current appearance. The Virgin of the Gate, added in 1869 by Abbé Briscier, completes this composite heritage.

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