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.

Saturday 7 August 2021

Nocturne Gourmande - Friday 6 August 2021

Everyman has supper together in the place du Marché

Each year an evening is set aside for local caterers to 'feed the multitudes'. In Covid-19 year 2, everyone had to be cautious but it seems that there is much less hazard in the open air.  Many or even most of us are now double-innoculated. Everyone enjoyed this favourite annual public event. 
 My dish was 10 euro paella.....

Itinerant musical entertainment

Young and old alike, partying together....

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Wednesday 4 August 2021

Pictures from 'Les Cardinales' - antiques on the Grande Rue, Richelieu

A group of four children playing on a stile
(200x300mm)
Unnamed artist with original frame


A pair of picture frames!

The picture was bought for 290 euros at
Les Cardinales 12 Grande Rue 37120 Richelieu

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Tuesday 3 August 2021

After the blaze.....

The three houses which were recently burnt out by fire on the Route de Tours have been secured and await full restoration. The carriageway in front of them was closed for several weeks while the fire ravaged walls were stabilised. Instablity was the result of the lack of roof timbers that had given lateral restraint to the front street facade.



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Monday 2 August 2021

The Tour à l'angle is finally in use

The Cité Idéale's girdling wall NW corner tower can now be used practically, as he new floor and staircase make it all accessible. The little tower is now kept locked by the new entry door, but several keys have been offered to it new guardians. The completely replaced staircase leads to the upper floor - accessible for the first time in decades (centuries?), but the upper floor awaits its new surface flooring boards that will permit normal access and loading. We trust the restoration will continue so that this little building, unchanged in essence since it was built at the cost of the French Crown in the 1630s, is fully and practically useful to the present day.

The tower's interior - new floor; new staircase, hospitality!

A little country feast for new visitors

Upstairs awaits new floor boarding

Midsummer gardening

New authentic windows - painted in 'oxblood'

The first floor's occulus window (left open!!)