Visit Loches Town of art and history and member of the most beautiful detours in France

We bet you’ll love Loches?! Winding around the great royal city, the charming cobbled streets offer furtive views over the courtyards of beautiful mansions, but also over more open landscapes of the surrounding countryside. Walk around, stroll, and take advantage of the many shops and restaurants, as well as themarket on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There’s definitely something holiday-like about this place…

What to see in Loches In the heart of the royal city...

Through the Porte Royale, you enter 1,000 years of history. Just a few dozen metres away, the medieval keep and Renaissance dwelling dominate the town with their lofty stature and make up the royal city of Loches.

Erected in the XIᵉ century by the terrible Foulques Nerra, the imposing 44-metre-high keep reveals towers, dungeons, graffiti, underground passages and dark passageways… medieval atmosphere guaranteed! Climb to the top and you’ll be rewarded with a unique view of the town. The logis royal is the second heritage treasure to be discovered, with each year a new exhibition that renews the tour of this Renaissance building, from April to All Saints’ Day. In December, the magic of Christmas in castle country will make your eyes shine!

Also be sure to push open the door of:

The house-museum of painter Emmanuel Lansyer (a pupil of Gustave Courbet).
The collegiate church of Saint-Ours, home to the finely sculpted tomb of Agnès Sorel, the lady of beauty and favourite of King Charles VII. Adjacent to the collegiate church, the Saint-Louis garden is a little marvel!

Then head back towards the Chancellery, the Saint-Antoine tower (the town’s belfry) and the public garden on the banks of the Indre. Admirers of Caravaggio won’t want to miss the Saint-Antoine gallery, where two paintings attributed to him are on display.

Logis Royal de Loches Agnès Sorel — ©Logis Royal de Loches |ADT Touraine - Gillard & Vincent

Our offers The must-haves

From Loches to Beaulieu-lès-Loches A 7.5 km walk

From the Porte des Cordeliers, embark on the short hike “In the footsteps of Foulques Nerra”, passing through the sensitive natural area of the Prairies du Roy (where a few art installations find a beautiful setting each year). It leads to the neighbouring town of Beaulieu-lès-Loches, a Petite Cité de Caractère.

Shopping break

During your stroll, why not push open the door of the Courants d’arts, in the gardens of the Abbey: nearly 30 artists, arts craftspeople and second-hand dealers have formed an associative collective to bring all their works together on one site.

Enjoy yourself!

Have you worked up an appetite exploring Loches? With its Michelin star, Arbore et Sens is THE gourmet restaurant in town. But the George, le p’tit restau, la Cour des saveurs, or the wine bar La Loire en tonneaux are all good addresses.

To relax, head for the spa at Les Bains Douches or the hotel at La Cité Royale.

By bike!

A 24.5km cycling loop, “L’âne et le roi” winds its way through the Loches forest to the Etang du Pas aux Ânes. The route also passes through Beaulieu-lès-Loches.

Find out more

©Cabane A Plantes Sennevieres Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 2032 229|Jean-Christophe COUTAND-MEHEUT

The Plant Shack brunches

A farmer, picker and processor, Juliette Krier-Mallet transforms plants into infusions, spices and other syrups. She shares some of her secrets at her brunches…

Live the experience

Touring the countryside around Loches In the fresh air!

The south of Touraine offers a wonderful breath of fresh air, authenticity and charm, to be experienced particularly in the villages. On your holiday “to do list”, don’t miss Chédigny, the only village in France to be classified as a remarkable garden (1,000 rose bushes, 3,000 perennials…). Montrésor, the aptly named, is one of the most beautiful villages in France: from the balconies overlooking the Indrois (a tributary of the Indre), the view of Count Branicki’s château is splendid. Finally, immerse yourself in the world of prehistory, by visiting the musée du Grand-Pressigny.

We’re on the move!

The area is criss-crossed by hiking trails (for example around the Louroux pond, a sensitive natural area), bike loops, not forgetting the Cyclo Bohème and the Sud Touraine greenway. The large state-owned forest at Loches can even be explored on electric scooters. Another option: the canoë, on the Indre from Loches, or on the Creuse at Descartes.

At Chemillé-sur-Indrois, get your fill of thrills on the tree courses at Clic’Lac aventure. For a refreshing swim, remember that the Nudeo aquatic park has a pleasant natural outdoor pool.