WHAT TO SEE & DO
Overview Table
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Town Center | ✦✦✦✦✧ | Town Center | Self | Free |
| 2 | Medieval City Enclosure | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Medieval City | Self | Free |
| 3 | Castle | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Castle | Self | Paid € |
| 4 | Keep | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Keep + Panorama | Self | Paid € |
| 5 | Food Market | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Food Market | Self | Free |
| 6 | Public Garden | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Garden | Self | Free |
| 7 | St. Ours Church | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Church | Self | Free |
| 8 | St. Louis Garden | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Garden | Self | Free |
| 9 | Lansyer Museum | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Museum - Art | Self | Paid € |
| 10 | St. Antoine Church & Gallery | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Church + Gallery | Self | Free |
| 11 | Chancellery | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Museum - History | Self | Free |
| 12 | St. Antoine Tower | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Tower | Outside | Free |
1. Town Center
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✧
Type Town Center
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Centre de Loches
The Town Center of Loches is a delightful area perfect for a leisurely stroll. The cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and charming shops create a picturesque atmosphere that captures the essence of French small-town life. The medieval houses lining the streets offer a glimpse into the architectural styles of the past.
The town center is outside the medieval city enclosure.
2. Medieval City Enclosure
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Medieval City
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Cité Royale de Loches
The Medieval City of Loches, located in the heart of the town, is a well-preserved fortified area that transports visitors back to the Middle Ages. Enclosed by ancient walls, it features narrow streets, historic buildings, and gardens, and offers panoramic views of the rest of the town.
It hosts several places described below.
(the castle and the keep are each at one end of the medieval city)
3. Castle
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Castle
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Names
Logis Royal de Loches
Château de Loches
The Château, also known as the Logis Royal, was built, expanded, and remodeled over a period spanning from the 11th to the 16th century. Its beautiful façade overlooks the town of Loches and the Indre River. It is particularly known for having been the royal residence of significant women of the Middle Ages, including the famous Joan of Arc.
Located within in the medieval city enclosure.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
The entrance ticket is combined with the keep.
4. Keep
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Keep + Panorama
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Donjon de Loches
The keep dates back to the 11th century. It was originally built as a defensive tower and later became a prison.
The top of the western part of the keep offers a 360° panoramic view of Loches and its surroundings.
At the foot of the keep, there is also a small garden.
The entrance ticket is combined with the castle.
Located within in the medieval city enclosure.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
The entrance ticket is combined with the castle.
5. Food Market
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Outdoor Food Market
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Marché de Loches
The Loches food market, one of the most important in the region, takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
6. Public Garden
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Garden
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Jardin Public de Loches
The Loches public garden is the main garden of the town. Located along the Indre River, it features manicured lawns, flowers, and a water feature.
7. St. Ours Church
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Church
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Église Saint-Ours
The main church of the town dates back to the 10th century. It combines Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
Located within in the medieval city enclosure.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
8. St. Louis Garden
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Garden
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Jardin Saint-Louis
A small garden right next to St. Ours church.
Located within in the medieval city enclosure.
9. Lansyer Museum
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Art Museum
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Musée Lansyer
The Lansyer Museum is an art museum dedicated to the works of Emmanuel Lansyer, a 19th-century landscape painter. Housed in the artist’s former residence, the museum offers a glimpse into his life and work including its original artworks, personal artifacts, and sketches.
The museum also has a tiny garden.
Located within in the medieval city enclosure.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
10. St. Antoine Church & Gallery
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Church + Art Gallery
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Église Saint-Antoine
A 19th-century church that includes some paintings.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
⚙️ Visitor Info (Tourism Office Website)
Outside the church, there is an art gallery of the same name that houses paintings, also related to religious theme.
11. Chancellery
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Local History Museum
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Chancellerie de Loches
The Chancellery is a historical building that once served as the town’s administrative center.
Now a museum, it displays historical documents and artifacts from the town’s past.
12. St. Antoine Tower
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Tower
Visit Outside only
Cost Free
French Name
Tour Saint-Antoine
This 16th-century tower was built as the bell tower of a church that no longer exists.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN LOIRE VALLEY
Things to Do in Azay-le-Rideau Village
Things to Do in Candes-Saint-Martin Village
Things to Do in Chenonceaux Village
Things to Do in Cheverny Village
Things to Do in Fontevraud-l’Abbaye Village
Things to Do in Montrésor Village
Things to Do in Montreuil-Bellay Town
Things to Do in Montsoreau Village
