It was formed with part of the former province of touraine it was divided in seven districts. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. Arrondissement of loches simple english wikipedia, the. Fortified in the 6th century, loches was fought over by the french and english during the 12th and th centuries. The best chateaux of the loire valley, france telegraph. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Loches itself is a place of substantial historical significance, with its massive defensive keep, chateau and royal residence, and cathedral. We will keep you updated on this website and on our social. Loches, touraine, chateaux of the loire, official website. Bypass loches, however, and youre missing a treat, whether youre holidaying a deux or en famille. Indreetloire is one of the original 83 departments created during the french revolution on 4 march 1790 with tours as is capital. The town is packed with history and heritage sites to fire everyones imagination, but also stands at a crossroads of walking and cycling trails for those who want to explore the tranquility of the surrounding countryside.
The chateau the chateau of loches is located in the loire valley in france. Loches the roman leucae grew up around a monastery founded about 500 by st. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Direct booking through our website is commissions free. A guide to visiting our france experts 12 favourite chateaux in the loire valley, france, including information on their gardens and history, entry prices and contact details, and how to avoid. The most magical chateaux and castles in the loire valley. Built some 500 meters above the indre river, the huge castle, famous mostly for its massive square keep, dominates the town of loches. In the 15th century, agnes sorel, king charles viis mistress, brightened the history of the castle by her presence, marked until then by conflicts between lords. The dungeon was built between 10 and 1035 by the count of anjou. Loches castle is located in the french village of loches. This entry was posted in 17th century, loches and tagged french architecture, loches, loire valley, loire valley history, touraine history, touraine map. Guests can relax on the furnished terrace and in the garden. Ours and belonged to the counts of anjou from 886 until 1205. In the latter year it was seized from king john of england by philip augustus, and from the middle of the th century until after the time of charles ix of france the castle was a residence.
The chateau was designed and occupied by henry ii of england and his son, richard the lionheart during the 12th century. French website about castle loches with a lot of pictures and a full history the royal city. At the top of the rue du chateau, the busyness of the town ends and the castles huge ramparts rise up. The arrondissement of loches is the southeast of the indreetloire department. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. The keep was besieged many times, notably during the battles between the capetians and the plantagenets over the centuries it was fitted with new elements. Your first impression of loches will be of a town steeped in history, that still. Loches history saw the village being a royal seat for quite some time, and there are many other wonderful castles to be found throughout the surrounding. Loches is in the indreetloire department of the centre region, at 50 kilometres southeast of tours explore loches. The town is dominated by the medieval citadel, which is surrounded by 1. Layout edit the 11thcentury keep built by fulk iii, count of anjou measures 23.
Today it is a small market town for the surrounding rural region and is a tourist centre. This fulk then took a noble wife from the country of tours, roscilla by name, daughter of warnerius, who at that time owned three castles in the touraine, the ones called. When the indreetloire department was created on 1800, the arrondissement of loches was part of that original department in 1926, the arrondissement of loches was eliminated but in 1943 it was made again an arrondissement of the indreetloire department geography. Due to the remarkable character of its residence and keep, loches is home to one of the most beautiful fortified cities in france, which dominates the town and the bucolic indre valley. Ours the fortress is perched on a promontory and commands the indre valley. The castle area, consisting of three buildings, among them one the oldest keeps in france, is one of the best preserved european architecture ensembles of the middle ages.
The site was a chateau for counts, then a royal fortress, before becoming a royal prison in the 15th century. The house history of maison argentier du roy loire valley france. The castle sometimes also called simply \dungeon\ of loches, in the eponymous commune of indreetloire, 40 km southeast of. It became a royal residence and a state prison in the 15th century, when louis xi imprisoned his enemies there in iron cages. The castle, as is true of so many castles in europe, dominates the scene in its home town, and thanks to its interesting history and architecture, it is a major tourist attraction. The castle sometimes also called simply dungeon of loches, in the eponymous commune of indreetloire, 40 km southeast of tours, is a castle built in the eleventh century in the heart of a city royal which also includes a home palace and a collegiate the whole city situated on a rocky outcrop is surrounded by a wall. Loches is known for its monuments, historical sites, and museums. As the snowflakes begin to fall and the holiday season is upon us, its a most wonderful time of the year to reflect upon the love that has been gifted to us and woven into our lives this year. Over the years it has been a castle, a military fortress and even a state prison. Today, the museum has one of the most extensive collections of medieval armour in france.
Loches hotels, france vacation deals from 77 usdnight. She married foulques i le anjou3067 before 5 jul 905 in anjou, france. This towering medieval castle, residing within loches walled cite royale, has a colourful history. The originals boutique, hotel george sand, loches inter. It was constructed in the 9th century, 500 meters above the indre river, and dominates the town of loches.
Book your hotel in loches and pay later with expedia. History the story of cite royale the cite royale of loches was defended to the south by a keep which was built between 10 and 1035 by foulques iii nerra, count of anjou. Find hotels and other accommodations near musee lansyer and book today. Designed and occupied by henry ii of england and his son, richard the lionheart during the 12th centu. Theres a private bathroom with shower in all units, along with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Lochess gloomy 1,000yearold castle keep is still intact and the medieval. History and geography of the town of loches, france.
Built some 500 metres above the indre river, the huge castle, famous mostly for its massive square keep, dominates the town of loches. It is unusual for a town to have 3 awards, which indicates how important loches is as a tourist destination. The main transport hub in the area is tours, about 50 minutes drive, where there is a small airport and rail link to paris 56 minutes and southwards by tgv. It includes a massive dungeon, a royal residence where agnes sorel, the favourite of king charles vii lived, and a church eglise st. The town is packed with history and heritage sites to fire everyones imagination, but also stands at a crossroads of walking and cycling trails for those who want.
House history or from great history to novel theme. Historic site and monument, castle, donjon at loches. Located south loches at 1h15 from tours, this remarkable hunting property is sheltered in a forested massif of southern touraine. The royal city of loches is an imposing medieval fortress. Discover 5 centuries of history in the royal city of loches.