Loches

Loches mini guide

Guide point	Details
Department:	Central France > Loire Valley > Indre-et-Loire >
Location:	29 miles southeast of Tours, on the left bank of the Indre River.
Quick links to accommodation:	Holiday rentals near Loches - Hotels near Loches Show all rentals in Indre-et-Loire - Self catering in Indre-et-Loire - Bed and Breakfast in Indre-et-Loire properties with pools in Indre-et-Loire - Apartment (1) - Chateau (7) - Cottage (23) - Converted barn (4) - Country house (6) - Farmhouse (11) - Gîte (32) - Maison de Maître (1) - Manoir (1) - Village House (3) - Long winter lets (3) - Chateau (6) - Manoir (2) -

Loches is a town and commune in France and is situated in the département of Indre-et-Loire. It is located 29 miles southeast of Tours, on the left bank of the Indre River.

Loches is rich in history and is described by many as one of the most picturesque towns in central France.

The town grew up around a monastery founded about 500 by St. Ours and belonged to the Counts of Anjou from 886 until 1205. In the latter year it was seized from King John of England by Philip Augustus, and from the middle of the 13th century until after the time of Charles IX of France the castle was a residence of the kings of France. 

Loches is situated at the foot of the rocky eminence on which stands the Château de Loches, the castle of the Anjou family, surrounded by an outer wall 13 ft./4 m. in circumference, and consisting of the old collegiate church of St. Ours, the royal lodge and the donjon.