Loches, city of art and history

Whether you are coming from the north, the south or the east, the Cyclo Bohème takes you to Loches from Beaulieu-lès-Loches, either by a street lined with beautiful residences and the castles of Sansac and Armaillé, or, more bucolic, by the path which unites the two communes by crossing the Prairies du Roy (classified as a Natural and Sensitive Space)

The panorama that is offered to you causes an undeniable "wow" effect. Perched on its rocky spur overlooking the valley, the impressive Royal city of Loches has watched over this place for over 1 years. A millennium rich in stories that you will discover by visiting the medieval dungeon, one of the best preserved in Europe. A fortress, then a prison, the dungeon of Loches peaks at more than 34 meters. The climb is really worth the effort. From up there, you can take in a 360° panorama. During the visit a Histopad® guide your steps and reveal to you, through the magic of 3D reconstructions, the rooms that no longer exist.

The visit continues at Royal Lodge, a palace where women played a major role in the history of France, from Joan of Arc to Anne of Brittany, not forgetting Agnès Sorel, who rests in the collegiate church of Saint-Ours. It was in this residence that Joan of Arc came to convince Charles VII to go and have himself crowned King of France in Reims. The tour route is made up of digital animations. Each year, the site hosts a temporary exhibition and participates in the Christmas in the Land of Castles, an event that combines the beauty of party decorations and the magic of children's stories.

Agnès Sorel's magnificent alabaster recumbent statue is installed in the Saint-Ours collegiate church, Romanesque church topped with surprising pyramids, dubes, architectural fantasy that you will not see anywhere else! Its polychrome portal, very well preserved, in pure Romanesque style, is decorated with sculptures of characters and animals taken from the medieval bestiary.

The upper town has another curiosity not to be missed: the Lansyer Museum. Emmanuel Lansyer, painter of the 19th^e century, a student of Gustave Courbet and Viollet-le-Duc, bequeathed his family home to the City. Built on the ramparts, the house-museum has retained all the charm of this period. Fully restored, the museum presents works by Lansyer produced in Touraine and during his many travels. A "family" area pleasantly completes the layout. In the romantic garden, an access allows you to go up to the terrace of the Royal Gate, in line with the lower town.

City of art and history

As you walk, you discover the medieval doors of the City and the private mansions of the Renaissance. The Chancellery, and its facade, inspired by the Laurentian library in Florence, demonstrates how Loches was at the heart of the artistic movements of that time. The Chancellery hosts the heritage interpretation center. A stone's throw away, you can discover the richly decorated facade of theHôtel de Ville. This Renaissance building, from 1543, attached to the Picois gate, is a wonder. Continue the visit with theSaint-Antoine church and gallery, with its fine collection of paintings, including the famous Caravaggio of Philippe de Béthune, is freely accessible.

The streets of the historic heart make up the bulk of the city centre. The bustle of the merchants and peddlers of the Middle Ages, who travelled from Paris to Spain, has given way to pretty shop windows and the welcoming terraces of bars and restaurants. Taking a gourmet break is an integral part of discovering the art of living of the people of Loches. Touraine is Rabelaisian: gastronomy is a must here. There are so many good addresses that your only problem will be choosing one!

Moreover, if you pass by on a Wednesday or Saturday morning, the market and its 130 stalls of fresh produce will delight your eyes and nostrils before stimulating your taste buds. An essential stop to compose your next picnic to be enjoyed, why not, on a bench in the public garden?

Nature and authentic

Au 19^e century, botanical gardens bloomed in the main French cities. Loches inaugurates his on the banks of an arm of the Indre. Its hundred-year-old trees open up panoramic windows on the royal residence which is reflected in the calm waters of its pools.

You will also find the keep and the Saint-Ours collegiate church which rise above the roofs mixing flat tiles and slates, a characteristic of this part of Touraine.

Standing proudly at the crossroads of the public garden, the bandstand resonates with free open-air concerts during the summer season. A great opportunity to return at nightfall to admire the silhouette of the Royal city of Loches bathed in the calming light of the moon.