Agnès Sorel à Loches
Gisant d'Agnès SorelAgnès Sorel, the lady of beautythe Royal City of Loches
Agnès Sorel à LochesWho was Agnes Sorel, the favourite of King Charles VII?
Agnès Sorel, born around 1422, was the daughter of a modest noble family. Spotted for her dazzling beauty and intelligence, she joined the French court as maid of honour to Queen Marie d’Anjou. There she met Charles VII, becoming his confidante and inspiration. Her beauty and influence quickly earned Agnès a nickname, “the Lady of Beauty”, and a special place in the king’s heart.
Light blue eyes, blonde hair, very white skin, this particularly advantageous physique was not to escape the eyes of Charles VII, 18 years her senior, for very long. And although the beautiful woman initially made her royal suitor languish, this only strengthened Charles VII’s attraction. Eventually, she succumbed: it was hard to refuse the King.
Agnès Sorel and the Château de LochesA place of love and power
She was particularly fond of the Royal City of Loches, and stayed there for long periods, even in the absence of Charles VII. Her presence is immortalised in a copy of a portrait painted by Jean Fouquet: the favourite appears as a Virgin with child, breastfeeding, almost a Madonna. The portrait blends Agnès’s pious character with her sensuality, which shines through with the unveiled breast, her taste for beautiful things with the ermine coat, and her role with the King via the crown placed on the head of the one who is… almost queen.
When you visit Loches, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the royal court, where Agnès made her mark with her unique style and modernity. In the richly decorated rooms, you can imagine her sumptuous gowns and her dazzling blonde hair, which has become almost legendary.
Logis Royal de LochesAgnès Sorel...alongside Joan of Arc, Pierre de Brézé...
If the life of Jeanne d’Arc is inseparable from the destiny of Charles VII, Agnès Sorel was to be closely associated with the splendid period of his reign. According to legend, she told him that her astrologer (whose opinion was highly respected at the time) had predicted that she would be at the side of a great king, which led him to think that she should perhaps be at the side of the King of England. Stung to the core, Charles VII agreed to confront his British rivals in order to liberate Normandy.
To do so, he relied on a certain Pierre de Brézé, under whose impetus the army began to use metal cannonballs to attack British fortifications. Brézé had the full support of Agnès Sorel, both in his role as the King’s principal adviser and in his defence against the accusations made against him by the Dauphin (the future Louis XI).
and Jacques Cœur: an alliance in the service of the King
Agnès Sorel also counted influential figures such as Jacques Cœur, the king’s great treasurer, among her close circle. Together, they were able to encourage Charles VII to undertake bold reforms to modernise France. It was thanks to this alliance and their joint influence that the French court was able to undergo a period of renewal. Jacques Cœur, although less famous, worked in concert with Agnès for the good of the kingdom.
Also aware of her attractiveness, Agnès Sorel took great care over her appearance, wearing magnificent fabrics and precious stones (the beautiful Agnès was the first to wear cut diamonds, it was her friend Jacques Cœur who brought them to her).
Costumes à la Cité Royale de LochesRoyal City of Loches
Dive into the history of the châteaux of the Loire by discovering the Royal City of Loches, a must-see gem open all year round. Organise your visit so you don’t miss out on this unique experience.
Ticketing, opening times and access… Everything is at your fingertips for a memorable day or weekend with family or friends. Explore this exceptional place, where Agnès Sorel, the famous favourite of King Charles VII, left her mark.
The tragic death of Agnès SorelA mysterious ending
How Agnès Sorel died
In 1450, while expecting her fourth child, Agnès Sorel died suddenly at the age of 28, leaving the king inconsolable. Her early death gave rise to much speculation, and some even suspected poisoning orchestrated by rivals at court jealous of her influence. The mystery surrounding Agnès Sorel’s death reinforces the mythical aura of the royal favourite.
The recumbent statue of Agnès Sorel: eternal tribute to the Lady of Beauty
The tomb of Agnès Sorel, sculpted with striking finesse, is a must-see when visiting Loches. Head to the Collégiale Saint Ours, where this recumbent represents her with unique grace, a symbol of her beauty and eternal influence on King Charles VII. The work is touchingly realistic: the delicate features of the portrait of Agnès Sorel can be seen, a direct tribute to her charm and personality.
Take the time to observe this inspiring and moving masterpiece, making the greatness of an extraordinary female figure palpable. This place is an invitation to travel back in time and feel the intensity of the bonds that united Agnès Sorel and Charles VII.
Gisant d'Agnès Sorel
Logis Royal de Loches
reconstitution du visage d'Agnès Sorel à la Cité Royale de Loches
Les Médiévales de Loches
Visite de La Cité Royale De Loches En Famille
Vue Aérienne Cite Royale de Loches
Salle du logis royale de Loches tableau d'Agnès Sorel
Visite de La Cité Royale De Loches En FamilleMore info
Agnès Sorel the Influencer" exhibition
In 2022, an exhibition at the Royal City of Loches celebrated the 600th anniversary of the birth of Agnès Sorel, the first official favourite of a French king. Born in 1422 into a family of minor nobility, she benefited from a very good education in Anjou as maid-in-waiting to Isabelle of Lorraine, wife of King René. But there was another asset that would play a decisive role in her destiny: her unparalleled beauty.
