Eglise Notre Dame de la Riche (Church of Notre Dame de la Riche), Tours

The Church of Notre Dame de la Riche (Eglise Notre Dame de la Riche) is a historic church in Old Tours. Its origins can be traced back to the 4th century when Saint Lidoire constructed a church on the grounds of a Christian cemetery. This site later hosted the 10th-century Notre-Dame-la-Pauvre church, built over the tomb of Bishop Saint Gatien, with records of its existence dating from 920. Over centuries, the church underwent multiple reconstructions and was renamed Notre-Dame-la-Riche in 1141.

The church visible today was predominantly rebuilt in the 15th century, although on a smaller scale compared to its predecessors. It suffered significant damage during a Protestant sacking in 1562, leading to extensive restoration efforts before 1570. More changes followed; in 1746, a wooden rood screen was replaced by an iron grille, and in 1775, the La Riche pillar, a remnant of the Romanesque structure, was demolished.

Throughout the French Revolution, the church was repurposed for saltpeter production, only to be returned to religious use in 1798. Subsequent restorations occurred from 1818 to 1820 and more comprehensively between 1860 and 1866 under architect Gustave Guérin. These restorations involved significant structural enhancements including the addition of brick vaults and the reuse of the original timber framework for the new roof. The west and south aisles, along with the portals, were also rebuilt during this period.

The church was registered as a historic monument on March 30, 1926. It houses an impressive collection of art and relics, including a set of five 17th-century statues depicting the Marriage of the Holy Virgin, crafted by Touraine sculptor Antoine Charpentier. The church also contains several 16th-century stained glass windows and relics of Saint Francis de Paule, displayed on the north side wall.

The Church of Notre Dame de la Riche stands as a testament to the rich historical and cultural tapestry of Tours, embodying centuries of architectural evolution and religious significance.