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Origin and history

The house of the priests of the mission, known as the former cure, is a historical monument located in Richelieu, in the Centre-Val de Loire. Built in the 17th century, it is part of the city's symmetrical urban plan, typical of this period. The building adopts a U-shaped plan, consisting of three square wings connected to the back of the church bedside. Its spatial organization, with a central courtyard accessible by a walled porch between two pavilions, reflects a functional and orderly architecture, characteristic of the achievements of the time.

The interior of the communal part is divided into small rooms, distributed by a central corridor, the majority of which served as rooms. A room once housed the library of the lazarists, entirely re-established at the end of the 19th century. The facades on courtyards have undergone modifications, while the exterior elevation respects the logic of symmetry imposed by Richelieu's urban planning. The whole, including the inner courtyard and church annexes, was classified as a historical monument by order of 21 October 2005.

The architect Jacques Lemercier, known for his work in the region, is associated with this monument. The property is now shared between the municipality and private owners. The building illustrates the importance of religious and community buildings in the social and urban organization of Richelieu, a city founded in the 17th century under the impulse of Cardinal Richelieu, although it is not explicitly mentioned in the sources available for this specific monument.

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