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Loches in the Loire Valley

the citadel town of Loches 

Hotels in Loches

Loches, one of our favourite places in Centre Val-de-Loire, is a very pleasant medieval riverside town in the department of Indre-et-Loire, southeast of Tours, resting on the banks of the Indre River.

Your first impression of Loches will be of a town steeped in history, that still retains its authenticity, one of the best-preserved in France. Guidebooks actually have it 'listed' it as a town of Art & History as well as recommended detour (plus beau detour). Its narrow, traffic free streets in the old town could be the same ways travelled by the kings, queens and heroines of its medieval past.

Arched gate entry ino Loches

narrow street in Loches

another narrow cobbled street in Loches

Yet it has also slipped into the future sympathetically to give us a town of character with all the modern amenities you need.

cobbled street in Loches showings some of the shops

street view of market day in Loches

Shoppers will find it a joy - especially on market days.

Flowers on sale at Loches market

Flower market

cheese stall at Loches market

Cheese stall

street view of Loches showing street cafes

The town also has many fine bistros and restaurants, to suit most budgets. If you are planning to have lunch on market days it is recommended that you make a prior booking.

 

narrow street in Loches with cafe tables

It is a citadel town and has a medieval complex within its walls which includes a castle keep, a royal residence and a collegiate church. Due to St.Oars hilltop location the town's inhabitants felt that a church in the lower town would be useful for its older residents and a new church St. Anthony's was built.

view of the dojon ramparts at Loches  

Donjon

view of Loches chateau from lower town

Royal lodgings

St.Oars church

Porte Royal,entrance into citadel at Loches

Porte Royale

 

plan of citadel ealk in Loches

Plan of citadel walk

 

Its chateau and dungeon are easily accessible by walking up Rue de Chateau and entering the citadel via the 'Porte Royale' - well worth a visit - learn of the Richard the Lionheart connection.

view of Royale Logis in Loches from public gardens

fountain in public gardens in Loches

Bandstand in public park Loches

There is a lovely public park on the other side of the river which looks up to the chateau and you should seek it out for its bandstand and floral displays as they make for great  photo opportunities.

You can see more garden pics here on our blog

The river Indre runs through the town its twisting current making it challenging for anglers who like to fish along the banks, right in the heart of town. It also gives the town additional character  and appeal.

 

Within easy walking distance there are two museums, municipal tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool .

 

Municipal Swimming pool
1, avenue Aristide Briand
Tel : 00 33 2 47 59 09 83

Covered and open-air heated swimming pool.
Open all year.

 

The town is also well served by supermarkets with a large 'Super U' to the north and a 'E.Leclerc' to the south on the outskirts.

The Caravaggio controversy:

 

Two paintings discovered discarded in a church organ loft in 2006, in the town, were identified on an inventory as original Caravaggio's and reputed to be worth up to £50 million each !

Although initially authenticated as originals various  experts have since doubted the pictures are by him. This has not stopped Loches promoting itself as a 'Caravaggio town' and they can be viewed where they were discovered at the church of Saint-Antoine.

 

Is the Renaissance rascal overtaking Michelangelo in the popularity stakes? Check out article here... https://www.nytimes.com/

 

 

The town is 'twinned' with Wermelskirchen (Germany) and Saint-Andrews (Scotland).

 

 

Find a hotel in Loches

 

 

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FIND A VACATION RENTAL ACCOMMODATION NEAR LOCHES

 

 

  External links:

www.ville-loches.fr/   

 

 

www.loches-tourainecotesud.com/  

Official website of town

 

Tourist board of Southern Touraine

                         

        

  Blogroll:

loirevalleyexperiences.blogspot

          

loirevalleyexperiences.blogspot.fr/2017/05/a-walk-in-parkloches-public-gardens.html

Blogpost on Loches' medieval festival

 

 

 

Loches public garden

 

 

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