Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Hôtel de la chancellerie de la collégiale Saint-Martin de Tours is a 17th-century building located at 3 rue Baleschoux, in the Old Towers district. This monument is distinguished by its entrance gate, its courtyard façade, and a scauguette on two tubes. It also includes a west wing, a barn with a pediment window, and a stone staircase with an 18th-century wrought iron ramp. Although major changes took place in the nineteenth century, the building's mass plan has remained almost unchanged since 1749.

All buildings were raised around 1930, but retained significant architectural elements of its original period. The monument was inscribed as historical monuments by order of 8 July 1946, specifically for its door. Today, it is owned by a private company and is in a geographically satisfactory location, according to available data.

The Collège Saint-Martin, to which this chancery was attached, played a central role in the religious and administrative life of Tours. In the 17th century, collegiate women were important ecclesiastical institutions, often associated with canon chapters and the management of local religious affairs. This type of building reflects the civil and religious architecture of the time, marked by classical influences and local adaptations.

The 19th-century changes and the 1930 rise illustrate the architectural changes and changing needs of occupants over the centuries. These changes, while significant, did not alter the overall integrity of the original plan, demonstrating a rare historical and structural continuity. The protection of the door in 1946 underlines the heritage importance of this specific element, characteristic of 17th century architecture.

The location of the building in the Old Towers, a historic part of the city, reinforces its heritage interest. This area, rich in ancient monuments, offers a coherent architectural framework that allows to understand the town planning and history of Tours throughout the centuries. Baleschoux Street, where the chancery is located, is emblematic of this preserved heritage.

Today, although the building is a private property, its inscription in historical monuments guarantees the preservation of its most remarkable elements. This protection helps to maintain a tangible link with the religious and administrative past of Tours, while integrating the monument into the contemporary urban landscape. Available data from sources such as Wikipedia and Monumentum confirm its importance in local and regional heritage.

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