Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house of Richelieu is part of the ambitious urban project launched by Cardinal Richelieu in the 17th century. Born in this village, he decided to transform it into a planned city, entrusting the plans to architect Jacques Lemercier, known for his work at the castle. The geometric layout includes ditches, ramparts, monumental gates and a network of symmetrical streets lined with uniform houses, reflecting the classical ideal of the era.

The building, whose facade and roof were protected by decree of 9 June 1932, bears witness to this desire for architectural harmony. The exact location, 7 Place du Marché, corresponds to the heart of this model city, classified as Historical Monument. Richelieu, part of the department of Indre-et-Loire (region Centre-Val de Loire), thus retains the traces of an exceptional urban heritage, linked to the political and cultural influence of its founder.

The available data highlight the accuracy of the initial project, where each element – from house alignments to fortifications – met a centralized vision. Today, this house, like others in the city, embodies the aesthetic and functional rigour advocated by Richelieu, while recalling Jacques Lemercier's key role in the materialization of this design.

External links