Creation of the city of Richelieu 1631-1642 (environ) (≈ 1637)
Urban plan drawn by Jacques Lemercier.
9 juin 1932
Home protection
Home protection 9 juin 1932 (≈ 1932)
Inscription façade and roof at Historic 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 village transformation.
Jacques Lemercier - Chief Architect
Designer of city plans.
Origin and history
The house of Richelieu is part of an ambitious urban project launched by Cardinal de Richelieu, which 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. This project includes ditches, a fortified enclosure, monumental gates and a network of symmetrical streets lined with aligned houses, reflecting the principles of 17th century classical urban planning.
The facade and roof of this house have been protected under the Historic Monuments since a decree of 9 June 1932. This ranking reflects the heritage importance of the building, representative of the civil architecture of the time. The house is located Place des Religiouses, in the heart of the new city, whose geometric regularity contrasts with traditional medieval urbanism.
Richelieu, in Indre-et-Loire, thus embodies a unique urban planning experience planned under the Ancien Régime. The cardinal imposed a rational and aesthetic vision, combining military functionality (fossed, pregnant) and architectural harmony. This model later influenced other urban achievements in France, although the city had not reached its original expected size.
