Projet de restauration des logis royaux par l’architecte en chef des Monuments historiques Henri Déverin en 1882, non réalisé
From the 16th century, the royal fortress of Chinon was deprived of its strategic role, and was abandoned in favour of more modern castles.
In 1824, in spite of the danger of the site, the park of the Royal Fortress was laid out as a public promenade. In 1840, the fortress was classified as a historical monument, but the ruins remained dangerous. In 1854, the people of Chinon rallied and appealed to Napoleon III to avoid its destruction. Prosper Mérimée's intervention was decisive and marked the beginning of the restoration work.
