Beaulieu-lès-Loches Little City of Character

Boosted by its Royal City and classified as a Town of Art and History, Loches has naturally established itself as the capital of southern Touraine. But 10 centuries earlier, Beaulieu-lès-Loches held this role, with an abbey, market rights and a much more developed settlement. Loches and its fortified keep had above all a defensive role, with a fortified keep erected by Foulques Nerra to protect himself from the Counts of Blois.

A stroll through the streets of Beaulieu-lès-Loches

Neighbours, the two towns are separated only by les prairies du Roy, a sensitive natural area that is home to the artistic installations in the Beaux Lieux exhibition. Explore the whole of this area via a short 7.5km walk, which will take you to the foot of Beaulieu-lès-Loches’ “beacon” in particular: the Romanesque bell tower of the abbey church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul, 63 metres high and recently restored. All around, admire this ancient abbey town with its particularly well-preserved buildings. In the centre of the village, discover the Templar house, the Hôtel Suzor, the Saint-Laurent church and the Maison Agnès Sorel. Follow the canal (a branch of the Indre created in the 14th and 15th centuries to power a series of mills), populated by roach, bream, tench, carp, perch and pike, and enjoy this charming setting.

Beaulieu-lès-Loches, Petite Cité de Caractère

Le village préféré des Français

In 2023, Beaulieu-lès-Loches came 9th in this competition presented by Stéphane Bern on France 3.

Label Ville et Métiers d'Art

Do you love beautiful objects and artistic creations? Visit Beaulieu-lès-Loches! Nearly 30 artists, arts and craftspeople and second-hand dealers form a collective association to bring together all their works on a single site: Les Courants d’Arts, in the abbey gardens. There are also courses and a temporary shop (especially at Christmas) run by the Rue des Arts association, in the Templars’ house, which also organises a major artistic event in August, also called… Rue des Arts! So it’s no coincidence that this Little City of Character has also been awarded the title of Ville et Métiers d’Art.

On the Abbey Town calendar

Alongside Rue des Arts (August), also enjoy the Trinité flea market (June), the Beaulieu Solstice concerts (June) and Autumn Sonatas (October), the Souillarde Fair (October), or the curious tours programmed by the Loches Tourist Office.

Tourist Office

The Viantaise garden of Beaulieu-lès-Loches

Walk past the pretty Halle des tanneurs (Tanners’ Market), cross the canal (which feeds the amazing Moulin des mécaniciens (Mechanics’ Mill), to be discovered during Heritage Days). You’ve arrived in the pretty green setting of the jardin des Viantaises, which combines the market gardening tradition of allotments with the artistic, poetic and humorous dimension of the place. Just next door, enjoy a meal at Les Javanaises, the guinguette in Beaulieu-lès-Loches!

Le Bel Ilot

Installed in the main square, a third-party venue hosts a participatory café-grocery shop, among other things. Another great address!