The Cardinal's Fete 2007

Les Fêtes du Cardinal will take place in Richelieu, 37120 Indre-et Loire, France on the Friday 13th, Saturady 14th and Sunday 15th of July 2007. To include many activities including a rally of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars on the 15th to coincide with a picnic in the Château park under the huge avenues of trees.

The Cape and Rapier Festival 2006

The Fête de Cape et d'Épée takes place across the French Bastille day holiday, 14 July, every other year. The last festival held was in 2006 when the town was packed with visitors, many in costume of the period. The walled and moated town was entertained by Cavaliers and Ladies, horses and carriages, displays of swordsmanship and duelling (expressly forbidden in 1620 by the Cardinal himself), and wineing and dining in the streets and squares.

Four more pictures of the works being carried out to the main market square.

The state of the repaving of the market square in late April 2007. One can see the prepartions being made for the central fountain. The entire square drains to the centre, which gives the square the feeling of being a bit of a dish.

Our Lady of Richelieu

The church of Our Lady of Richelieu designed by Jacques Lemercier viewed across the half-renovated town market square. Lemercier's building follows the church of the Jesuits in Rome , Il Jesu, by Vignola of 1584. Other famous Lemercier buidings in Paris are the Chapel of the Sorbonne, the church of Val-de-Grâce and the Pavilion de l'Horloge in the Louvre.

The Place du Marche under reconstruction, April '07

The square has been stripped back and the surface awaits paving with cobbles.

The obverse of a ceremonial medal from 1631

A medal minted in 1631 celebrating the ministry of Richelieu. The text reads 'Mens Sidera Volvit'; literally 'His mind revolves the stars' - or 'It seems he can almost anticipate the future in the celestial destiny'.

The face of a ceremonial medal from 1631

Armand-Jean du Plessis, First Minister to King Louis XIII, Cardinal, later Duke of Richelieu and Peer of France.