Da vedere nei dintorni Loches

A small medieval town at around AD1000, the Royal City of Loches owes its rise to the conflict between the counts of Blois and the counts of Anjou. A church and an imposing 36m high tower, still visible today, were constructed at this time.

On your visit to the city, you will discover the tower, and also the royal house, with its terrace overlooking the city and the Indre valley. You can also stroll through the medieval garden and discover its pergola and lawn benches.

Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, the Collegiate Church of Saint-Ours is an expression of Romanesque architecture in all its beauty. Two elements, in particular, stand out: The polychrome portal, with sculptures of figures and animals forming part of the medieval bestiary, and the two "dubes", in other words, two pyramidal cupola covering the nave that were erected around 1165.
The marble tomb of Agnès Sorel is also located inside the collegiate church.

The Royal house was a favourite residence of the Valois dynasty. Some important names have left their mark on its history: this is where Joan of Arc met the future Charles VII, Agnès Sorel, mistress to the king, lived there and Anne de Bretagne, Queen of France, stayed there.
With its Gothic and Flamboyant architecture, this building remains a jewel of the late medieval period. In addition, the terrace offers a splendid view of the city and the Indre valley.
Inside, you will be able to admire furniture, tapestries, weapons, paintings and much more.

With its towering height of 36m, the Loches keep is extremely impressive. This building, erected by Foulques Nerra in around 1000, remains one of the oldest preserved keeps in Europe.
During its history, the keep was a defensive structure, a residence and a state prison. It was in this building therefore that Philippe de Commines, Cardinal Balue and the Duke of Milan, Ludovic Sforza were all imprisoned. The latter, a great art lover, adorned his prison with murals still partially visible today.

Maison Lansyer was the family home of the painter Emmanuel Lansyer (1835-1893).
Although his name may not be particularly well known today, Emmanuel Lansyer was considered one of the best landscape painters of his time. A prolific artist, he painted nearly 1500 canvases.
The Lansyer House-Museum showcases more than a hundred of these canvases but also a collection of Japanese art, which Lansyer collected himself, and engravings by various artists.