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.

Tuesday 17 June 2014

Newly restored cottages in the old cattle market

two refurbished 'cottages' in the place Louis XIII
The ville idéale was constructed with houses for all the social orders.  These modest houses are located behind the halle in what was originally the cattle market.  Now re-organised and re-named place Louis XIII.  Often constructed in pairs with an alley to the back yards, these dwellings are being bought and refurbished.

As they say - "they scrub up well"!


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Thursday 12 June 2014

The Caisse d'Épargne - 2


Around the newly restored market hall - la halle - are 4 pavilions, one on each corner of the compass. Although they have existed since the inception of the  town, they have been extended and enlarged in the manner of the 1830s.  This does not mean that they are any the less elegant, indeed they are very graceful.  Two of the four pavilions are under refurbishment; one as new offices for the Commune of Richelieu, and this one for the Caisse d'Épargne (The savings Bank) that has probably been there for quite a time, taking the monies from the market trading.  The ground floor premises are being refurbished and the timber infills of the semi-circular arches replaced in style.  The Abbé HP hopes that the two pavilions that face the market square will be fully restored, in particular the rather neglected façade of the PMU brasserie, with its rusty first floor balustrade, just waiting for a lick of paint!.