The chateau de Richelieu, which has now almost completely disappeared, was built for Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal-Duke of Richelieu, who turned the family home in Poitou into an exceptionally ambitious building. This vast complex was not, however, built from scratch, but was built around a pre-existing main building, which until now was only known to have been built for the Cardinal's father, Francois du Plessis, Lord High Provost of France. The discovery of a contract signed in 1585 for the construction of this building therefore provides the first certain data on this first chateau, whose chronology and layout can now be determined. By establishing what was done at the end of the 16(th) century, this hitherto unpublished document also provides a better understanding of certain aspects of the major works desired by the Cardinal, which were conditioned by those undertaken for his father.
