Creation of the city of Richelieu 1631-1642 (période estimée) (≈ 1637)
Transformation of the village into a model city.
9 juin 1932
Front protection
Front protection 9 juin 1932 (≈ 1932)
Registration for Historical Monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Facade and roof: inscription by decree of 9 June 1932
Key figures
Cardinal de Richelieu - Urban project sponsor
Initiator of the model city.
Jacques Lemercier - Chief Architect
Designer of urban plans.
Origin and history
The house of Richelieu is part of an ambitious urban project launched by Cardinal de Richelieu, who wanted to transform his native village into a model city. The plans were designed by architect Jacques Lemercier, known for his work on the Château de Richelieu. This project includes ditches, a fortified enclosure, monumental doors and a network of symmetrical streets lined with aligned houses, reflecting the order and grandeur ideals of the era.
The town of Richelieu, with its geometrical layout, embodies the classic 17th century urban planning in France. The facades and roofs of certain houses, including the one located 9 Place des Religieuses, were protected as early as 1932 by an inscription under the title of Historical Monuments. This heritage bears witness to the cardinal's desire to create a city to his image, combining architectural prestige and functionality.
The exact address of this house, 9 place of the Religious, corresponds to an emblematic place of this urban plan. Although current GPS coordinates suggest a close location (11 place des Religieuses), the building remains a representative example of the architectural harmony sought by Lemercier. However, the accuracy of its historical location is limited, as can be seen from available data.
