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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 on 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 the facades and roofs of this house by an order of 9 June 1932 bears witness to its heritage value. It is part of a coherent architectural ensemble, designed to symbolize the power and urban vision of Richelieu. The city, with its log plan and defensive elements, became an absolute urban model, where every detail — from doors to houses — was designed to serve a rigorous aesthetic and a clear social hierarchy.

Today, this house, located in Market Square, recalls the legacy of a time when architecture was a political tool. His inscription in the title of the Historical Monuments underscores his role in the history of French urban planning, linked to the emblematic figure of the cardinal. The approximate location (5001 Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville) and the administrative data (Insee code 37196) confirm its anchoring in the territory of Indre-et-Loire, in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

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