Visit Loches A ‘City of Art and History’ and a member of the ‘Les Plus Beaux Détours de France’ scheme

We bet you’ll love Loches! Winding their way around the grand royal town, the charming cobbled streets offer glimpses of the courtyards of beautiful mansions, as well as more open views of the surrounding countryside. Take a stroll, wander about, and enjoy the many shops and restaurants, as well as the market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There’s certainly a holiday atmosphere in the air here…

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

Through the Royal Gate, you step into 1,000 years of history. Just a few dozen metres away, the medieval keep and the Renaissance residence tower over the town and form the royal city of Loches.

Built in the 11th century by the fearsome Foulques Nerra, the imposing 44-metre-high keep reveals towers, dungeons, graffiti, underground passages and dark corridors… a medieval atmosphere guaranteed! Climb to the top: you’ll be rewarded with a unique view of the town. The royal residence is the second heritage gem to discover, with a new exhibition every year that refreshes the visitor experience of this Renaissance building, from April to All Saints’ Day. In December, it’s the magic of the ‘Christmas in the Land of Castles’ event that will make your eyes light up!

Don’t hesitate to pop into:

The house-museum of the painter Emmanuel Lansyer (a pupil of Gustave Courbet).
The Saint-Ours Collegiate Church, home to the finely carved tombof Agnès Sorel, the beautiful lady and favourite of King Charles VII. Adjacent to the collegiate church, the Saint-Louis Garden is a little gem!

Then make your way back down to the Chancellerie, the Saint-Antoine Tower (the town’s belfry) and the public garden on the banks of the Indre. Fans 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

Staying in Loches Sights, activities, restaurants, accommodation...

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

From the Porte des Cordeliers, set off on the short walk“In the footsteps of Foulques Nerra”, which passes through the Prairies du Roy nature reserve (where a number of art installations are beautifully showcased each year). It leads to the neighbouring town ofBeaulieu-lès-Loches, a ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’.

A shopping break

During your walk, do pop into Les Courants d’arts, in the Abbey Gardens: nearly30 artists, craftspeople and antique dealershave formed a collective to bring all their works together in one place.

Treat yourself!

Has exploring Loches worked up your appetite? With its Michelin star, Arbore & Sens is THE gourmet restaurant in town. But Le George, Le P’tit Restau, La Cour des Saveurs, or the wine bar La Loire en Tonneaux are all excellent choices.

To unwind, head to the spa at the Hôtel de La Cité Royale.

Off on a bike ride!

A 24.5 km cycle loop, “The Donkey and the King”, heads towards the Loches Forest, as far as the Pas aux Ânes pond. The route also passes through Beaulieu-lès-Loches.

The Donkey and the King

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

Brunch at La Cabane à Plantes

A farmer, forager and producer, Juliette Krier-Mallet transforms plants into herbal teas, spices and other syrups. She shares some of her secrets during her brunch events…

Live the experience

Exploring the countryside around Loches Out in the open air!

Southern Touraine offers a wonderful breath of fresh air, authenticity and charm, which can be experienced particularly well 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, etc.). Montrésor, 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 Grand-Pressigny Museum.

Let’s get moving!

The area is criss-crossed by walking trails (for example, around the Louroux pond or through the vast Loches state forest), cycle loops, not to mention the Cyclo Bohème and the Sud Touraine greenway. Another option: canoeing on the Indre from Loches, or on the Creuse at Descartes.

In Chemillé-sur-Indrois, get your fill of thrills on the treetop adventure courses at Clic’Lac Aventure. For a swim and a refreshing dip, bear in mind that the Naturéo water park has a lovely natural outdoor pool.

Bus services from Loches

Fancy leaving the car behind? Use the summer shuttle buses to get to Chenonceau Castle (via Chédigny) and Beauval ZooParc (via Montrésor).

More info

In the vicinity

The Michelin-starred restaurant La Promenade (Le Petit-Pressigny).

The public garden on the banks of the Creuse and the Descartes Museum Complex, dedicated to René Descartes, René Boylesve and Gustave Trouvé.

The Ani Maurice educational farm and the Haute-Touche Wildlife Reserve (in the Indre department).

The Corroirie monastery-castle and the Chartreuse du Liget

The châteaux of La Guerche and Bridoré, and the underground passages of Betz-le-Château.

The unique accommodation options at the Domaine de La Roche-Bellin (Descartes)

The hotels Le Relais de la Mothe (Yzeures-sur-Creuse) and Laroche-Ploquin (Sepmes)

Campsites: Les Coteaux du Lac (Chemillé-sur-Indrois) and Les Saules (Cormery)

Guest rooms at Charnizay Castle, Le Château (Le Grand-Pressigny), La Ferme Blanche, Les Troglos de Beaulieu, Le Presbytère – Maison Flore…

Holiday cottages: Le Kiwi, La Poulinière at the Domaine des Cyclamens (Verneuil-sur-Indre), Les Viollières (Bossay-sur-Claise)…

Tourist office Loches, Touraine, the Châteaux of the Loire Valley

What is there to do in Loches? Whether you’re looking for guided tours, ticket offices for tourist attractions, hotels or any other information, the Loches Tourist Office is here to help.