Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel des Trois-Rois is an old 15th-century hostel located in Thouars, Deux-Sèvres. Its name evokes the Magi Kings, and its construction dates back to this period. The building, located 11 rue du Château, is halfway between the church of Saint-Médard and the castle of the Dukes of La Tremeille. It is now converted into housing units after being included in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments in 1937.

The hotel is famous for having welcomed King Louis XI several times, before and after his accession to the throne. He met local notables like Louis Tyndo or Philippe de Commynes during hunting parties. The façade, originally made of wooden strips, was redone in 16th century stone. A controversial renovation in the 1980s replaced this facade with a reconstituted half-timbered style, partially erasing its historical aspect.

Architecturally, the Hotel des Trois-Rois features a stair turret decorated with false "Gothic trilobed" style mâchicoulis and sled windows. The East façade now has half-timbered walls from the restoration of the 1980s. Archival documents, such as a sketch by Paul Boinot (1924) and a photograph by Jules Robuchon, testify to his appearance before this renovation.

According to tradition, Louis XI had stayed in this house, although the sources varied on the details of his visits. The early facade, with wooden panels, would have been altered by the 15th century. Today closed to the visit, the building is divided into several apartments, while maintaining its status as a protected monument.

External links