The topics of this blog are Armand-Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Duke of Richelieu, and the IDEAL CITY built on his command next to his magnificent CHÂTEAU on the borders of Touraine, Anjou and Poitou, in France.

Friday 25 November 2011

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Four restoration projects advance...


Here are update photos of four projects underway in November 2011.


Project A
The Cinéma Majèstic redevelopment progresses and it has now re-opened for pubic use.  Unfortunately, the Abbé Henri Proust was busy with pastoral visits on the nights that had the new film of the adventures of Belgian boy-detective, TINTIN, in the new 3-D version.  The cinema has had to be updated to allow the latest in projection technology to filter down to this little town of la france profonde.
Look HERE for a link to former posts on the project A, Cinéma Majestic.




Project B
The town's tourist office is to be relocated to a building adjacent to the church, on the place du marché.  The building is one of the original hotêls particulars that until recently was known by the name of the shop formerly located on its ground floor, Le Grand Colbert. The façade has been reconstructed and refenestrated in the authentic original layout. The roof repaired and newly slated. Half of the mansion is in the ownership of a lady in Chicago, they say, but now that part too needs a scrub-up, and needs a new ground floor tenant as well. 
Look HERE to see other posts on project B, Le Grand Colbert.

Project C
The town's hotel, le Puits Doré, is extending its property.  Although the scaffold is still in place while the faced works continue, the newly restored roof can now bee seen complete with matching lucarnes - roof lights.  As this building is fully 'listed', all the materials must be  authentic, in this case expensive roofing slates.

Project D
Another dilapidated hôtel particular on the Grande Rue is now under restoration, this time on the western side, above the former tourist office.  The dreadful old roof is under repair - as architects say; 'always protect from water coming down and water coming up!'

that's all for now, folks!
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Monday 7 November 2011

The trailer for the 'awful' - new - 'Three Musketeers'...

Milady de Winter 'kisses the ring'


actually, it looks quite good fun in this trailer...
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Tuesday 1 November 2011

Disputatious Aquitaine ... or ... 'Where's Coeur-de-Lion when you need him?'


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...remember that this is a French advertisement for cassoulet 'La Belle Chaurienne'! from Castelnaudary