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 7 July 2015

A blog post concerning Saint Vincent de Paul in Paris


Peter's Paris is a very informative blog on the French metropolis, much to be recommended.
 Today, 7 July 2015, the subject is the life and locations of
Saint Vincent de Paul and his Lazarist foundation.

Read on….


Vincent de Paul 
- 1581 to 1660 -
was nominated by cardinal duc de Richelieu to be responsible for the souls of the new inhabitants of his cité idéale who were from a part of France much affected by poverty and the bloody
'Wars of Religion' -  i.e. the Hugenot (protestant) / Catholic contests of Europe's 17th century.

He founded a Lazarist mission in the new town itself, no doubt modelled on his base in Paris, referred to in this fascinating post 'by a retired Swede'.

***

Thursday 2 July 2015

Miriam opens the p'tit Saint Ange

looking back towards the town


back - of - house
The restaurant Fossé Saint Ange is run by Myriam and Cyr Boîtard in a small tower at the Châtellerault entry gate to the ville idéale.  It is very popular but only open a few days a week as the proprietors pursue their main calling as fine artists and print-makers.

This summer, and for the first time, they have opened a café at the entrance to the ducal park, maybe 150 metres from home base.  It is in the open air under a sunshade and uses as back-of-house one of the symmetrical buildings that form the main gate to the park itself.  Heretofore no-one offered café or restaurant facilities in a park that in summertime is full of visitors.

We offer our very best wishes to this new venture and look forward to sitting at their tables.