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Origin and history

The canonial house of Saint-Martin is a mansion located on Rue Rapin, in the Old Towers. Built in the 13th century, it is located in the old Châteauneuf, a town formed around the tomb of Saint Martin. This space, protected by a enclosure from the 10th century, was reserved for canons south of the collegiate house housing the tomb. The house served as a dwelling for the canons until the French Revolution, when it was seized as a national property and sold on September 12, 1791.

The architecture of the house presents remarkable elements, especially on its north tufted facade. There are two double windows with a trilobed arch, topped by an arc of discharge in full hanger, as well as a broken arch door, restored in its original layout after being replaced by a rectangular door around 1905. The structure and roof, which were rebuilt in the 17th or 18th centuries, testify to subsequent changes. The façade, the first floor and the roof have been listed as historical monuments since June 27, 1946.

In the 21st century, the house houses modern services, including the computer department and researchers of the Renaissance Centre for Graduate Studies. Its history and architecture have attracted the attention of archaeologists and medieval historians since the 19th century, emphasizing its heritage importance in the city of Tours. Protected elements include the street façade, roof and first floor room, reflecting its preserved medieval heritage.

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