dynasties and destinies

Hunt for the Treasures of Loches: A route designed to avoid missing out on anything

With fifteen centuries of history, the heart of the South Touraine region is home to so many treasures that a well-designed discovery trail was necessary to ensure that none were forgotten! Follow the fleur-de-lys that are painted on the ground and prepare to be dazzled!

The journey begins in the Saint-Antoine Gallery, home to two intriguing 17th century masterpiece paintings, ‘Philippe  de Béthune’s Caravaggios’. In the adjoining church-museum, you can continue your exploration of the history of art from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

A few streets further on, you will stop right in front of the Laurentian Library of Florence... well, almost! The exceptional Renaissance facade of the Chancellery is directly inspired by Michelangelo’s Florentine work. This building is now home to the Architecture & heritage interpretation center.

Now for a change of scenery, leap into the 19th century at the Lansyer Museum. Further on, at the Royal Residence, the keep and the Saint-Ours Collegiate Church, architectural jewels of the Middle Ages.

The Treasures of Loches tour: map and booklet (FR & EN) are available free of charge at the Tourist Office.

Loches keep

Back to the 11th century: Fulk III Nerra, a relentless builder and warrior

This keep is credited to be one of the tallest of its time and to date, one of the best preserved in Europe. The silhouette of this 36-meter tall medieval keep dominates the town, and is surprising to say the least, in this region with its Renaissance-style Loire châteaux. The view from its summit, at one time strategic, is now simply breath-taking. A medieval-inspired garden remains hidden at the foot of the keep. The whole site can be visited with a HistoPad© which will teleport you to the Middle Ages: inhabitants, invaders, interior design, furniture, and fire crackling in the fireplace... It's all there!

Into the 16th century: Ludovico Sforza and Leonardo da Vinci 

Back to the keep: in the cells, the frescoes of Sforza the fallen prince Ludovico Sforza, an emblematic figure of the Italian Renaissance, Duke of Milan, patron of Leonardo da Vinci but also a rival to the kings of France, died as a prisoner in Loches keep, in 1508. Being a prince and an artist, he was treated with great respect and left remarkable frescoes and inscriptions on the walls of his cell, which are still visible.

The Royal Residence

The 15th century: three influential women and a king

The setting for their story: the Royal Residence, an architectural jewel of the late Middle Ages. In what was the country residence of the Valois dynasty, we follow in the footsteps of Joan of Arc, Anne of Brittany, King Charles VII, and his favorite, Agnes Sorel. 

It was here that Joan of Arc met Charles VII to convince him to claim his 'rightful crown' in Reims.

The official favorite of the said king, Agnes Sorel remained at his side while he stayed at the Residence.

Infatuated with this 'Lady of Beauty', who died prematurely in a mysterious fashion, Charles VII built her a tomb worthy of a queen. Her magnificent alabaster effigy can be admired a few meters away in the Saint-Ours Collegiate Church.

Finally, Anne of Brittany, who was queen of France twice, also left her mark at the Royal Residence. She frequently stayed here and had a flamboyant Gothic oratory built. Like Anne, who often observed the fauna and flora, you can take advantage of the terrace that overlooks the town and let your eyes wander from the Indre valley to the immense state-owned forest of Loches.

Saint-Ours collegiate church

Founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 11th and 12th centuries, this romanesque church was accessed in the Middle Ages through a canonical college, hence the term “collégiale”. Originally dedicated to Our Lady, it became the Saint Ours parish church after the French revolution. It contains two exceptional elements from the 12th century, with a polychromatic sculpted portal and two pyramidal domes covering the nave. It also houses the magnificent Agnès Sorel’s alabaster tomb effigy, official favorite of King Charles VII.