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Origin and history

The house of Richelieu is part of an ambitious urban project initiated by Cardinal de Richelieu, who wanted to transform his native village into an ideal city. The plans were designed by architect Jacques Lemercier, known for his work on the Château de Richelieu, and applied according to a rigorous geometry: ditches, ramparts, monumental gates, and a network of symmetrical streets lined with aligned houses. This model reflected the classical urban principles of the time, combining aesthetics and defensive functionality.

The house at 2 rue du Chantier, whose facade and roof have been protected since 1932, illustrates this architectural uniformity desired by the cardinal. Its inscription in the title of Historical Monuments underlines its role in the coherence of the built heritage of Richelieu, a city conceived as a symbol of power and modernity under the Ancien Régime. The elements retained (alignment, proportions) still bear witness to this centralized urban vision.

The Richelieu project was part of a broader dynamic of territorial control and aristocratic representation. The city, although of modest size, became a laboratory of ideas for the development of cities in France, foreshadowing the major Haussmannian works. The houses, like this one, were intended to house a population organized around activities related to the castle and the cardinal's courtyard, mixing artisans, servants and local notables.

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