The Châteauneuf enclosure, also known as the "Martinopole enclosure," is a

fortification A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Lati ...

wall that surrounded the settlement of Châteauneuf-de-Saint-Martin, now integrated into the modern city of

Tours Tours ( ; ) is the largest city in the region of Centre-Val de Loire, France. It is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Indre-et-Loire. The Communes of France, commune of Tours had 136,463 inhabita ...

, located in the

Indre-et-Loire Indre-et-Loire () is a department in west-central France named after the Indre River and Loire River. In 2019, it had a population of 610,079.department in the

Centre-Val de Loire Centre-Val de Loire (; ,In isolation, ''Centre'' is pronounced . ) or Centre Region (, ), as it was known until 2015, is one of the eighteen Regions of France, administrative regions of France. It straddles the middle Loire Valley in the interior ...

region of France. The enclosure was likely constructed in the early 10th century to provide physical protection for the Basilica of Saint Martin and to assert the political presence of the settlement that developed around the sanctuary, in opposition to the nearby

Gallo-Roman Gallo-Roman culture was a consequence of the Romanization (cultural), Romanization of Gauls under the rule of the Roman Empire in Roman Gaul. It was characterized by the Gaulish adoption or adaptation of Roman culture, Roman culture, language ...

city. Surrounded by a defensive ditch and equipped with gates and towers, the enclosure became obsolete with the construction of a newer wall encompassing a larger area. It was gradually dismantled, with its materials repurposed. The last significant above-ground remains were destroyed during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

and postwar reconstruction. Two restored towers remain visible to the east and southwest, and additional remnants survive underground. The enclosed town comprised two distinct communities. The southern sector was occupied by the canons of the collegiate church of Saint Martin, forming the canonical quarter, while the northern sector was inhabited by lay residents. No physical barrier appears to have separated the two groups, which coexisted along a shared street. The Châteauneuf enclosure has been listed as a

historic monument A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, historical ...

in the national register since the period between 1940 and 1950, with the designation dates varying by section.

Historical and political context

A city in early bipolarity

At the beginning of the 10th century, the city of Tours, as it is recognized today, did not exist as a unified urban entity. Instead, two distinct centers, separated by over a kilometer, coexisted with their own identities: To the east was the Cité of Tours, a successor to the Roman city of

Caesarodunum Tours ( ; ) is the largest city in the region of Centre-Val de Loire, France. It is the prefecture of the department of Indre-et-Loire. The commune of Tours had 136,463 inhabitants as of 2018 while the population of the whole metropolitan ar ...

. Enclosed by 4th-century ''

castrum ''Castra'' () is a Latin language, Latin term used during the Roman Republic and Roman Empire for a military 'camp', and ''castrum'' () for a 'Fortification, fort'. Either could refer to a building or plot of land, used as a fortified milita ...

'' walls, it hosted both comital (administrative) and episcopal (religious) authorities but lacked significant economic activity. To the west, a settlement developed around the tomb of

Saint Martin Saint Martin may refer to: People * Saint Martin of Tours (c. 316–397), Bishop of Tours, France * Saint Martin of Braga (c. 520–580), archbishop of Bracara Augusta in Gallaecia (now Braga in Portugal) * Pope Martin I (c. 595–655), bishop of R ...

, gradually expanding due to the growth of pilgrimage activity and the accumulation of land donations. The sanctuary's royal protection enhanced its prestige. Originating from the 5th-century basilica constructed over the saint’s tomb and elevated to a collegiate church shortly after the Fifth Council of Aachen in 817, the town expanded northward, forming a ''suburbium'' and likely establishing a landing stage on the left bank of the Loire. At this stage, the area lacked a defensive enclosure. Between the two urban centers, development was limited, with the exception of the declining monastery of Saint-Julien, which was later revitalized by Archbishop .

A defensive structure with symbolic purpose

The wealth and prominence of the town surrounding the Basilica of Saint Martin—encompassing both its merchant population and the chapter of the Collegiate Church of Saint Martin of Tours—provoked significant interest and envy. Between November 8, 853, and June 30, 903, the area experienced multiple Norman incursions, resulting in pillaging and fires. These events led to the temporary relocation of Saint Martin’s

relics In religion, a relic is an object or article of religious significance from the past. It usually consists of the physical remains or personal effects of a saint or other person preserved for the purpose of veneration as a tangible memorial. Reli ...

to several sites, including the Abbey of Saint-Paul de Cormery, the Collegiate Church of Léré, the Martinian villa in

Chablis Chablis () is a town and commune in the Yonne department in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in north-central France. It lies in the valley of the River Serein. Wine The village of Chablis gives its name to one of the most famous French white win ...

, and eventually the Cité of Tours. While contemporary chronicles tend to exaggerate the scale of these attacks, they nonetheless contributed to a climate of insecurity. In response, the canons, merchants, and bourgeois of the town financed the construction of a defensive enclosure around the Basilica of Saint Martin. Although protection was the officially stated purpose, the initiative also appears to have served broader political and religious objectives.: ''Le castellum sancti Martini (903-938)'' The construction of the enclosure was part of a broader contest for influence among local authorities. It sought to assert the identity of the new Martinian town in contrast to the older urban center, amid often difficult relations between the basilica

chapter Chapter or Chapters may refer to: Books * Chapter (books), a main division of a piece of writing or document * Chapter book, a story book intended for intermediate readers, generally age 7–10 * Chapters (bookstore), Canadian big box bookstore ...

and the count, and especially the bishop. This tension became more pronounced from the late 10th century onward.: ''La Martinopole'' The architectural choice to emulate the ancient ''castrum''—still prominent in the 10th century—suggests that Châteauneuf aimed to position itself as equal to the older city. The enclosure formalized the city's bipolar structure at the close of the

early Middle Ages The Early Middle Ages (or early medieval period), sometimes controversially referred to as the Dark Ages (historiography), Dark Ages, is typically regarded by historians as lasting from the late 5th to the 10th century. They marked the start o ...

, particularly as episcopal influence extended both east and west of Châteauneuf, placing it between the possessions and spheres of influence of its rival. By encompassing both religious and secular areas, the enclosure also reinforced the mixed and enduring character of the settlement.

A construction with uncertain chronology

CharlesIII le simple Jean de Tillet-Recueil des rois de France

Until the mid-2000s, most historians, following the interpretation proposed by in 1970, held that the fortification of Châteauneuf occurred in two distinct phases. According to this view, an initial enclosure composed of a wooden palisade and an external ditch was constructed in the early 10th century. This structure was subsequently replaced by a masonry fortification at the end of the 10th century or the beginning of the 11th century, generally following the same layout. This hypothesis was supported by the term ''castrum nuovum sancti Martini'', in which the adjective ''nuovum'' was understood to signify that a "new" enclosure had superseded an earlier one. Since 2007, a re-examination of written sources and a reinterpretation of field data have led to a reassessment of the previously accepted chronology. The existence of an initial enclosure made of perishable materials, for which no archaeological evidence has been found, is now considered uncertain. Current interpretations suggest that the fortification of Châteauneuf may have been constructed in a single phase, directly in stone, between 903 and 918. This construction would have followed authorization granted by King

Charles the Simple Charles III (17 September 879 – 7 October 929), called the Simple or the Straightforward (from the Latin ''Carolus Simplex''), was the king of West Francia from 898 until 922 and the king of Lotharingia from 911 until 919–923. He was a memb ...

in a charter issued at the joint request of Robert (Count of Tours, son of

Robert the Strong Robert the Strong (; c. 830 – 866) was the father of two kings of West Francia: Odo (or Eudes) and Robert I of France. His family is named after him and called the Robertians. In 853, he was named '' missus dominicus'' by Charles the Bald, ...

and lay abbot of Saint-Martin from 888 to 902: ''Relations politiques et responsabilités au sein du chapitre de Saint-Martin (du IXe siècle à la fin du Xe siècle'') and the local townspeople.: ''Les remparts'' The term "Châteauneuf" appears to have been used in a pejorative sense by the monks of

Marmoutier :''See Marmoutier Abbey (Tours) for the former abbey in Tours.'' Marmoutier (; ) is a commune in the Bas-Rhin département in Grand Est in north-eastern France. The origin of the place is the former Marmoutier Abbey, of which the abbey church ...

, likely to highlight the greater antiquity of their own Martinian foundation in contrast to this newer district. The designation ''castrum novum'' occurs earliest and most frequently in charters and documents originating from Marmoutier. In contrast, documents from the chapter of Saint-Martin do not use the term ''castrum''; from the 10th century onward, they refer instead to ''claustrum'' or ''castellum Sancti Martini'' to more specifically denote the canonical enclosure. The term "Martinopole" is attested only briefly at the end of the 11th century, possibly influenced by Bérenger of Tours, who aimed—without success—to establish a major district under the spiritual authority of Saint Martin.: ''Martinopolis''

General layout and design

The outline of the Châteauneuf enclosure is approximately defined by the perimeter formed by Rue Néricault-Destouches to the south, Place Gaston-Paillhou and to the west, Rue de la Rôtisserie and Rue du Petit-Soleil to the north, and Rue du Président-Merville and Rue de Jérusalem to the east. These streets, already present in the Middle Ages, were initially thought to have served as service paths bordering the exterior of the ditch.: ''Les remparts'' However, they possibly occupy the ditch’s original location. The wall’s layout appears to have been influenced by pre-existing spatial structures, such as roads and land plots, although this cannot be confirmed with certainty. A north-south route between the wall and the Loire, attested as early as the 7th or 8th century, may have been reorganized in the early 10th century by Archbishop Téotolon to improve access between the enclosure and the river. This route then divided into multiple branches upon exiting the northern boundary of the enclosure. In 1888, proposed the existence of an inner rampart within the Châteauneuf enclosure, closely surrounding the basilica to provide additional protection for the Martinian sanctuary. This hypothesis, likely based on a misinterpretation of archaeological evidence, is not supported by contemporary chronicles and is contradicted by accounts of the 1417 assault on Châteauneuf by

John the Fearless John I (; ; 28 May 1371 – 10 September 1419) was a scion of the French royal family who ruled the Burgundian State from 1404 until his assassination in 1419. He played a key role in French national affairs during the early 15th century, part ...

, which confirm the absence of such a fortification. The eastern section of the enclosure is relatively well documented, owing to archaeological investigations conducted after the destruction caused by

. The northern face can be partially reconstructed from parcel boundaries visible in the Napoleonic cadastre.: ''Remparts et ponts : heurs et malheurs'' The western flank had largely disappeared by the 18th century, and changes in the parcel layout before the cadastre make its precise tracing difficult. The southern section, once preserved and maintained, now survives only in fragmentary form, either through physical remnants or historical plans. However, these elements enable a partial reconstruction of its original extent.: ''Les remparts''

Architecture

The general architecture of the Châteauneuf enclosure, characterized by its curtain walls and towers, appears to have been inspired by the

Gallo-Roman enclosure of Tours The Gallo-Roman enclosure of Tours is a wall surrounding the city of ''Civitas Turonorum'' (the cathedral quarter of the current city of Tours) and was constructed during the Later Roman Empire, Late Roman Empire. It is commonly referred to as th ...

, dating back to the 4th century. It features regularly spaced towers integrated into a high and thick curtain wall, using brick or terracotta in certain architectural elements, including the

arches An arch is a curved vertical structure span (engineering), spanning an open space underneath it. Arches may support the load above them, or they may perform a purely decorative role. As a decorative element, the arch dates back to the 4th mill ...

of some openings.

Curtain wall

The construction of the Châteauneuf enclosure features faced walls composed of small, irregular masonry, primarily

flint Flint, occasionally flintstone, is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Historically, flint was widely used to make stone tools and start ...

bonded with pink mortar, and coated with a secondary layer of pink or reddish mortar. This coating, sometimes revealing the white tips of the rubble stones, may reflect an aesthetic consideration. The outer facings enclose a rubble fill

core Core or cores may refer to: Science and technology * Core (anatomy), everything except the appendages * Core (laboratory), a highly specialized shared research resource * Core (manufacturing), used in casting and molding * Core (optical fiber ...

, with the wall measuring approximately 2.5 to 3 meters in width and potentially reaching a height of 10 to 11 meters above the medieval ground level. The foundations, though difficult to access, appear to be made of large stone blocks. An excavation in 1889 indicated that the ground level had risen by approximately 6 meters between the 10th and late 19th centuries. The presence of a

wall walk A ''chemin de ronde'' (French language, French, "round path"' or "patrol path"; ), also called an allure, alure or, more prosaically, a wall-walk, is a raised protected walkway behind a castle battlement. In early fortifications, high castle wa ...

remains uncertain, although in 1941, referenced “a stone staircase

hat A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...

is almost certainly the one that provided access to the walls.” Tours - Plan Tonon de Rochefou

By the mid-11th century, the northern section of the Châteauneuf curtain wall appears to have been neglected, while the southern portion, corresponding to the canonical enclosure, continued to be maintained. From the 12th century onward, segments of the wall were repurposed as foundations for houses built along its outer face, primarily by lay residents, but also by clergy. During this period, the defensive function of the enclosure progressively declined. In the 14th century, parts of the wall were dismantled and used as a quarry for building the clouaison constructed under John the Good, which rendered the Châteauneuf enclosure obsolete as it was incorporated within the new fortification. Surviving sections of the wall were either demolished when they impeded new construction or reused as structural elements within buildings. A map of Tours dating from around 1670, attributed to Tonon de Rochefou, shows the approximate outline of the former enclosure based on the alignment of interior streets, although the curtain wall itself is no longer depicted.

Gates

Four gates, aligned with the cardinal points, have been identified in the Châteauneuf enclosure: the Écrignole (or Escrignolle) Gate to the east, the Saint-Venant (or Cloister) Gate to the south, the Treasury (or Saint-Martin) Gate to the west, and the Petrucian Gate (later known as the Saint-Denis Gate) to the north. Excavations in 1895 near the southern gate revealed a major road, likely extending from this gate and crossing the alluvial plain to the southwest. As the city expanded beyond the enclosure’s limits, the gates became obstacles to urban circulation and were progressively dismantled. The demolition date of the Écrignole Gate is recorded as 1660. The remaining gates were removed between 1812 and 1838, likely in connection with the urban redevelopment following the demolition of the former Saint-Martin Basilica (1797–1803).: ''Remparts et ponts : heurs et malheurs''

Towers

The enclosure was reinforced with towers spaced approximately 40 meters apart along the curtain wall. Based on the documented configuration of the eastern flank, the overall layout likely included four corner towers, eight gate flanking towers (two per gate), and nine intermediate towers. These towers were cylindrical, with internal diameters ranging from 4 to 5 meters and external diameters from 7 to 10 meters. They were divided into levels by wooden platforms and partially embedded in the curtain wall. The lower levels were windowless and accessible only from above, likely by ladders. Many towers were partially rebuilt and vaulted in later periods. The earliest of these vaults dates to the 12th century and reflects the Gothic style of western France. Restoration work continued into the 15th century, including a notable campaign around 1475, when architect Thierry Babillone (or Babylone) of Tours restored several towers and sections of the southern portion of the curtain wall in the canonical sector of the enclosure. Two towers within the Châteauneuf enclosure appear to have served specific functions. The Saint-Barbe or Picardie Tower, located at the northwest corner, was used as an

arsenal An arsenal is a place where arms and ammunition are made, maintained and repaired, stored, or issued, in any combination, whether privately or publicly owned. Arsenal and armoury (British English) or armory (American English) are mostly ...

and was demolished in 1816 after falling into ruin. The Babylone Tower, situated along the southern section of the eastern wall, housed the Châteauneuf prisons in the 15th century. The interior wall of its ground floor was coated with white plaster, decorated with painted faux joints resembling large ashlar blocks in brick red. In addition to the main enclosure, the fortification system may have included advanced defensive structures added at a later date, such as the (12th or 13th century) and the so-called “des Pucelles” Tower (constructed before the 15th century and located further north). However, the existence of a coherent defensive system incorporating these elements remains unconfirmed and is debated among historians. These structures may also have been tower-houses, which were common in the area and did not necessarily serve a military function.

Ditch

The curtain wall was originally bordered by a water-filled ditch, which followed the approximate alignment of medieval and later streets encircling the enclosure from the northwest to the southwest via the east. Archaeological excavations conducted in 1989 at the northeastern corner of the enclosure revealed a V-shaped ditch, measuring approximately 5 meters wide at the top and 3 meters deep. This ditch was used for waste disposal and functioned as both a sewer and a refuse site. Beginning in the 12th century, houses were constructed between the former ditch and the curtain wall, indicating that the ditch had already been filled in by that time. The infilling process may have begun earlier, possibly in the late 10th or early 11th century.

A shared living space

Religious South, lay North: A theoretical bipartition

Occupying a quadrilateral measuring between 210 and 250 meters per side and covering approximately four hectares, the Châteauneuf of Saint-Martin was divided into two distinct areas on either side of the basilica and the east-west thoroughfare: the lay and commercial quarter to the north, and the to the south. The enclosed area excluded several monastic establishments located further south but encompassed the entire commercially active northern sector. The fortification appears to have been designed to protect an area not yet densely developed but intended for future expansion. The internal spatial layout is not precisely documented. However, two main perpendicular streets (Rue des Halles and the axis formed by Rues Descartes and du Change) intersect near the center of the enclosure. A peripheral road likely followed the interior of the wall, a pattern partly preserved today through several streets, including Rue Baleschoux, Rue du Panier Fleuri, Rue de l’Arbalète, Rue Henri-Royer, Rue Julien-Leroy, and Rue Rapin. The presence of three parish churches within the lay sector, at least two of which predate the construction of the enclosure, supports the interpretation of a spatial division between lay and canonical areas. Two intra-mural cemeteries, each associated with one of these churches, appear to have existed during the medieval period. Within the canonical area south of the basilica, residences for canons were constructed. of these, built in the 13th century and used for that purpose until the French Revolution, remains standing at No. 4 Rue Rapin and is partially listed as a historic monument. A royal residence may also have been located within this southern enclosure; while its existence is confirmed, its precise location has not been determined. The theoretical division between the northern lay sector and the southern religious sector of the Châteauneuf enclosure was accompanied by regulations, including the prohibition of women from entering the canonical area. In practice, this rule was frequently disregarded, as the enclosure lacked a physical barrier despite being designated by the canons as a ''castellum'' or ''claustrum''. Women from the lay quarter accessed resources such as a well located in the south and frequented a public inn established by the canons within the religious sector.: ''Le castellum sancti Martini (903-938)''

Hospice Hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's pain and symptoms and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life. Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life b ...

s in the canonical area also facilitated movement between the two sectors. Conversely, residences for canons were constructed in the northern lay area. This permeability, more readily accepted by the canons than by ecclesiastical authorities, was closely linked to the cult of Saint Martin and the steady flow of pilgrims passing through Châteauneuf.: ''Le castellum sancti Martini (903-938)'' There is no precise record of the population within the Châteauneuf enclosure, particularly regarding the lay inhabitants. The presence of several parish churches does not provide a reliable estimate, as the associated parishes likely extended beyond the enclosure. Historical records indicate that the number of canons was approximately 200 in 848 and 150 in 1180, with an additional 56

vicar A vicar (; Latin: '' vicarius'') is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior (compare "vicarious" in the sense of "at second hand"). Linguistically, ''vicar'' is cognate with the English p ...

s. Estimates suggest a total population of between 1,500 and 2,500 individuals, including both canons and lay residents. File:Tours - rue de Panier-fleuri.jpg, Flower-covered street. File:Tours - rue Baleschoux.jpg, Baleschoux Street. File:Tours - église Sainte-Croix.jpg, Former . File:Église Notre Dame de l'Ecrignole Tours.jpg, Annex of the former Church of Notre-Dame de l'Écrignole. File:Maison 4 rue Rapin1.jpg, Former canon's house on Rapin Street. File:Tours - maison canoniale 12 rue Descartes.jpg, Former canon's house on Descartes Street.

Commercial activities to identify

The commercial development of Châteauneuf is generally attributed to a

charter A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified. It is implicit that the granter retains superiority (or sovereignty), and that the ...

issued by Charles the Simple on December 1, 918, which granted the area immunity and broad administrative autonomy. A second charter, dated June 27, 919, extended this immunity to the territory between the Loire River and the enclosure.: ''Le castellum sancti Martini (903-938)'' The term ''suburbium'' appeared in chapter records in 920.: ''Analyses contextuelles et statistiques du vocabulaire spatial de 918 à 1119'' Commercial activity in Châteauneuf is relatively poorly documented. However, the sale of pilgrimage medals is attested, and taverns were established outside the canonical enclosure. The canons retained exclusive rights to sell wine during certain periods of the year (a banvin privilege) and collected

tithe A tithe (; from Old English: ''teogoþa'' "tenth") is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Modern tithes are normally voluntary and paid in money, cash, cheques or v ...

s on some sales during the remainder of the year. Numerous records of land sales and exchanges suggest a high level of economic activity, despite limited details on the individuals and roles involved. A charter issued by Charles the Simple in 919, which extended immunity to the area, also granted Châteauneuf the

right Rights are law, legal, social, or ethics, ethical principles of freedom or Entitlement (fair division), entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people according to some legal sy ...

to mint its currency.: ''Le castellum sancti Martini (903-938)'' The denier of Saint-Martin initially competed with the coinage from the nearby Cité before surpassing it and eventually evolving into the ''

livre tournois The (; ; abbreviation: ₶ or £) was one of numerous currencies used in France in the Middle Ages, medieval France, and a unit of account (i.e., a monetary unit used in accounting) used in early modern France. The 1262 monetary reform esta ...

''. By the 11th century, money changers, bankers, and

goldsmith A goldsmith is a Metalworking, metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Modern goldsmiths mainly specialize in jewelry-making but historically, they have also made cutlery, silverware, platter (dishware), plat ...

s had settled near a square north of the basilica (present-day Place de Châteauneuf), where a market was already in operation. Two entrances to the basilica, one from the

nave The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type ...

and another from the north end of the transept, opened onto this square. The ''porte du Change'' (Change Gate), one of these entrances, was considered the principal access point to the basilica. A bakery, likely located near the northeastern corner of the enclosure but outside its limits, provided bread to the canons and individuals connected to the chapter.: ''Le castellum sancti Martini (903-938)'' To the west of the enclosure, a gatehouse and the collegiate church’s storehouses were positioned, probably along the main road running east–west through Châteauneuf.

Chronology

Timeline of the Châteauneuf Enclosure, from its construction to its abandonment. DateFormat = yyyy ImageSize = width:1100 height:auto barincrement:45 PlotArea = left:15 right:15 bottom:30 top:15 Colors = id:canvas value:rgb(0.97,0.97,0.97) id:grid1 value:rgb(0.80,0.80,0.80) id:grid2 value:rgb(0.86,0.86,0.86) id:Timeperiod value:blue id:Timeperiod2 value:yellow id:gris value:gray(0.7) id:noir value:black id:guerre value:pink id:blanc value:white Period = from:850 till:1980 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:50 start:850 gridcolor:grid1 AlignBars = justify BackgroundColors = canvas:canvas bars:canvas BarData= bar:Timeperiod barset:Timeperiod2 barset:Timeperiod3 PlotData= width:40 fontsize:S textcolor:noir align:center # Periods bar:Timeperiod color:Timeperiod shift:(0,0) from:start till:end color:gris # Background from:853 till:903 text:"Norman~incursions" from:916 till:918 shift:40 text:"918: return of~Saint Martin's relics" from:1000 till:1300 text:"Development of the town~and suburb of Châteauneuf" from:1354 till:1368 text:"Construction of~Jean le Bon's enclosure" from:1797 till:1830 text:"Destruction of the basilica and~redevelopment of the district" from:1939 till:1945 color:Timeperiod2 text:"Second~World War" # Events # alignment → width:25 fontsize:S textcolor:black anchor:from align:left color:noir barset:Timeperiod2 width:25 fontsize:S textcolor:black anchor:from align:center color:yellowgreen from:902 till:904 text:"903: charter of~Charles the Simple" from:903 till:918 text:"Construction~of the enclosure" from:917 till:919 text:"918: diplomas of~Charles the Simple" width:25 fontsize:S textcolor:black anchor:from align:center color:orange from:1000 till:1200 shift:100 text:"Progressive filling~of the moat" # alignment → # Restart indentation at the top barset:break width:25 fontsize:S textcolor:black anchor:from align:center color:orange from:1050 till:1250 shift:100 text:"Construction of houses~against the curtain wall" from:1354 till:1368 text:"Use as a~stone quarry" width:25 fontsize:S textcolor:black anchor:from align:center color:yellowgreen from:1470 till:1480 shift:10 text:"Restoration~of the enclosure" width:25 fontsize:S textcolor:black anchor:from align:center color:orange from:1660 till:1838 shift:85 text:"Progressive demolition~of gates and towers" # alignment → # Restart indentation at the top barset:break width:25 fontsize:S textcolor:black anchor:from align:center color:orange from:1938 till:1941 shift:-45 text:"1940: Fire on~the eastern side" width:25 fontsize:S textcolor:black anchor:from align:center color:yellowgreen from:1940 till:1950 shift:-35 text:"Historic Monument~listing" Episode in the history of France and of Tours directly related to the evolution of the enclosure - Construction phase - Destruction or weakening phase

Remains

From June 19 to 22, 1940, a large portion of northern Tours was destroyed by a fire caused by German artillery. The affected area extended westward to the eastern side of the Châteauneuf enclosure. After the war, plans were considered to highlight the surviving elements of the enclosure—such as towers and wall sections—through the creation of an archaeological garden. However, the urgency of postwar reconstruction to rehouse displaced residents led to the project's abandonment. Two remains of the Châteauneuf enclosure are currently well documented and visible above ground. The most prominent is a defensive tower, accompanied by a short section of wall, located in the courtyard of No. 10 Rue Baleschoux (47.393053, 0.68391). This tower, originally part of the eastern defensive line, is partially buried—what appears to be the ground floor is the original first floor. It is constructed with small, irregular masonry and projects outward from the wall. The structure underwent repairs and modifications during the Romanesque period and again in the 13th century. Another remnant is situated in the courtyard of No. 59 Rue Néricault-Destouches, currently occupied by the (47.391972, 0.682129). This tower, located on the southern section of the enclosure, has been heavily altered, with little of the original architecture remaining. Another remnant of the Châteauneuf enclosure is located in the courtyard of the on Rue Néricault-Destouches (47.392034, 0.682691). This structure features a wall facing with a

Carolingian The Carolingian dynasty ( ; known variously as the Carlovingians, Carolingus, Carolings, Karolinger or Karlings) was a Frankish noble family named after Charles Martel and his grandson Charlemagne, descendants of the Arnulfing and Pippinid c ...

decorative pattern composed of alternating bricks and stones. Some scholars, including Charles Lelong, interpret this fragment as part of the southern section of the enclosure, possibly near or forming part of a gate. Other interpretations suggest it may be the gable of an unidentified Carolingian church later incorporated into the curtain wall. Additional elements of the enclosure, including sections of curtain walls, foundations, and tower bases, remain embedded within modern buildings. These remnants are often difficult to access, such as those located in private cellars on Rue des Bons-Enfants (47.393915, 0.683445). Several portions of the enclosure were listed as historical monuments in 1940, 1941, and 1950.

Historical and archaeological studies

Among the available documentation, the sources cited in this section provide specific insights into the history, architecture, and function of the enclosure. In ''La Touraine ancienne et moderne'' (1845), Stanislas Bellanger describes the enclosure and advocates for further research to enhance understanding and preservation. His recommendations were not followed at the time. The destruction caused by the fires of June 1940 allowed for a more detailed study of the eastern side of the Châteauneuf enclosure. Initial clearing operations began in the autumn of 1940, enabling architect René Baldet to produce plans for this section of the fortification. Further investigations were carried out in subsequent years by , Raoul Lehoux (whose work remains unpublished), and Jean-Edmond Weelen. There is no evidence of coordination or information sharing among these researchers. In 1950,

archivist An archivist is an information professional who assesses, collects, organizes, preserves, maintains control over, and provides access to records and archives determined to have long-term value. The records maintained by an archivist can cons ...

Jean Massiet du Biest and René Baldet produced a report summarizing the state of knowledge on the eastern face of the enclosure; however, only 25 copies were printed, and the document was not widely disseminated. In 1982, Sylvain Livernet published his doctoral thesis ''La conservation des éléments anciens dans une ville moderne'', which examines the historical evolution of the Châteauneuf enclosure and its integration into changing urban landscapes. In 2001, Didier Dubant and Emmanuelle Coffineau presented the findings of a 1989 excavation conducted in the northeastern corner of the enclosure during the construction of an underground parking facility. This study contributed to a better understanding of the structure and history of the ditch adjacent to the curtain wall. The collective volume ''Tours antique et médiéval.'' ''Lieux de vie, temps de la ville. 40 ans d’archéologie urbaine'', published in 2007 under the direction of , includes several chapters dedicated to the Châteauneuf enclosure. These address its archaeological remains, its role in the urban layout, and the political implications of its construction. In 2007, medieval historian Hélène Noizet published ''La fabrique de la ville: espaces et sociétés à Tours (IXe–XIIIe siècle)'', based on her 2003 doctoral thesis. The study examines the development and functioning of the Saint Martin district and the political role of the Châteauneuf enclosure. In 2013, Émeline Marot contributed a chapter to the collective volume ''Archéologie de l’espace urbain'', focusing on the history of Châteauneuf from the 10th to the 12th century and its relationship with other urban centers in the Tours area. This work also addresses the possible existence of an earlier wooden enclosure.

Notes

References

* ''Les archives du sol à Tours : survie et avenir de l'archéologie de la ville'', Société archéologique de Touraine et Laboratoire d'archéologie urbaine de Tours, 1979: * ''Tours du XVIII^e au XX^e siècle. La conservation des éléments anciens dans une ville moderne'', Université de Lille, 1982: * ''La fabrique de la ville : espaces et sociétés à Tours (IX^e – XIII^e siècles)'' , Publications de la Sorbonne, 2007: * ''Fouilles de la rue du Petit Soleil, rue de la Monnaie à Tours, rapport préliminaire'', Société archéologique de Touraine, 2001: * ''Tours antique et médiéval'', FERACF, 2007: * ''Châteauneuf (Tours) : construction d’une identité urbaine aux X^e – XII^e siècles'', Presses universitaires François-Rabelais, 2013: * Other references:

Bibliography

Documentation specifically devoted to Châteauneuf or its walls

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Publications devoted to history, architecture, or archaeology in Tours

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External links

* {{Cite web , title=Enceinte de Martinopole ou de Châteauneuf , trans-title=Enclosure of Martinopole or Châteauneuf , url=https://pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/PA00098159 , access-date=June 17, 2025 , website=Ministere de la Culture , language=fr City walls Fortification (architectural elements) Tours, France Military installations Monuments historiques of France