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Heritage classified

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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 line, with ditches, ramparts, monumental gates and symmetrical streets, reflected the classical ideals of the time, while the houses, aligned and uniform, embodied the order and modernity desired by the cardinal.

The protection of this house, by order of 9 June 1932, specifically concerns its facade and roof, emphasizing its heritage interest in the coherent urban complex of Richelieu. This monument is part of a network of orthogonal streets, designed to structure social and economic life around central squares such as the Market, where the official address (9 Market Square) is located. The approximate location, 3 Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville, reveals possible adjustments between historical sources and current geographical data.

Richelieu, in Indre-et-Loire, thus became a model of a new city under the Old Regime, combining political ambition and architectural innovation. The classification of this house as a historical monument reflects the desire to preserve this unique heritage, linked to both the local history and the emblematic figure of the cardinal. The protected elements, although limited to the facade and roof, recall the stylistic unit imposed by Lemercier, where each detail contributed to the overall harmony.

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