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Origin and history

The Indre-et-Loire Prefecture Hotel is a building located in the Old Towers, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. It occupies the site of the former convent of the Visitandines, founded in 1633 and whose church, built by Jacques Lemercier, was consecrated in 1639. At the Revolution, the convent was confiscated by the department, then transformed into a prefecture between 1806 and 1811 under the direction of architect François Derouet, captain of genius. The works include the destruction of the chapel, the enhancement of the court of honour, and the reconstruction of several pavilions.

The wrought iron entrance gate, classified as a historic monument in 1917, comes from Beaumont-lès-Tours Abbey and dates back to 1785. It consists of round iron panels assembled with bronze ornaments. The 18th-century woodwork of the Choiseul salon, installed in the prefecture, comes from the former Maison de l'Intendance de Tours. Other elements, such as the busts of the southern façade, were recovered from the Château de Richelieu.

The building was also the scene of major historical events, such as the meeting of the inter-allied Supreme Council on 13 June 1940. Marshal Pétain stopped there on 24 October 1940 on his trip to Montoire to meet Hitler. These episodes marked his role in the French political history of the twentieth century.

Subsequent improvements took place, including the construction of a pavilion around 1860 and the extension of the south building around 1960. Today, the prefecture remains a symbol of the administrative and architectural heritage of Tours, mixing religious heritage and modern transformations.

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