Frédéric MITTERRAND and Hervé NOVELLI will inaugurate in Richelieu the «Richelieu space» dedicated to the Cardinal and which retraces the route of this figure of the history of France who founded a city with unique architectural features. At the end of the inauguration will be signed a framework convention of cultural development between the State and the city for the restoration and enhancement of its heritage
architectural, urban and landscaped.
Frédéric MITTERRAND and Hervé NOVELLI will then visit the Rivau Castle (Léméré), the Royal Fortress of Chinon and finally the Azay-le-Rideau Castle to take stock of local initiatives to promote the development of cultural tourism.
- Château du Rivau, a site restored in 1994 by private individuals, which attracts an increasing number of visitors every year and has just completed the restoration of its stables, which now host a museum and hotel project.
- The Royal Fortress of Chinon, whose new facilities, opened to the public on 17 July 2010, are the result of an ambitious restoration plan (the largest in Europe) carried out for 5 years and should allow the site to double its number
of visitors.
- The Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, the flagship site of the Loire Valley castles, which runs a programme of cultural events every summer to attract new audiences.
Programme (all stages are open to the press)
11.00 - Inauguration of Espace Richelieu
28 Grande rue à Richelieu
11h45 - Signature of the Framework Convention on Cultural Development
Halle de Richelieu
2 pm - Rivau Castle in Léméré
15h00 – Chinon Castle
16h30 - Azay-le-Rideau Castle
*TNS-SOFFRES survey for the 2010 Tourism Book Award (June 2010)