We will be in Amboise next month. Though it’s not in the RS book, I feel like I keep seeing this town pop up as recommended. After our morning in Chenanceau (Friday), it will be market day in Loches (Amboise too) and might make for a good destination, maybe for lunch and a walk around. Would love any thoughts.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1432 posts
The historic “ Royal City of Loches” has one of the oldest castles in France that goes back to the 9th-century. The history of Loches is more impressive than the scale of the walled city. It was a residence for the kings of France from about 1250 to 1450 and intermittently after that. In 1429 Jeanne d’ Arc visited King Charles Vll at Loches castle after winning the Battle of Orleans. In a move to unify the French and drive the English out of France, she convinced the king to be crowned in Reims Cathedral, where all French Kings had been crowned. .
With a car, Loches can easily be reached in 30 minutes from Amboise. By train or bus, it takes 2.5 hours. Market day is a perfect time to visit.
Posted by
Chicago
772 posts
Charming small town. I think your plan is right for the place.
Posted by
Loire Valley
761 posts
The market in Loches is well worth visiting, it runs from about 9:30 to 12:30 Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
The town itself is also well worth visiting, having plenty of medieval and renaissance architecture, narrow winding streets, and a whacking great chateau. It benefits greatly from not being Amboise and featuring heavily in the RS books.
Posted by
Portland
3601 posts
To me, the interior of the chateau of Loches was more interesting than that of the other, better known ones. Some nobleman (French? Italian?) was imprisoned there, and wiled away the time decorating the walls of his room.
Posted by
Loire Valley
761 posts
That would be Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan.
https://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/2021/12/it-looks-like-ludovico-lies-in-loches.html?m=1
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6516 posts
We thought Loches was great, spent more time at the chateau than the town and I don't think it was market day. There's also a good church near the chateau with a piece of a Roman column. Nearby is the town of Descartes, where the great philosopher grew up ("I think, therefore....") and there's a museum about him and his philosophy.
Posted by
OP
Washington DC
38 posts
Thank you so much for the replies. Loches is on my itinerary!
Posted by
Waikikamukau
439 posts
Loches was exactly what I was looking for in the region. Just loved it. 6 years since we were there, back then quite uncrowded. Visit the Donjon if nothing else.
We stayed a number of nights in Loches (hotel dating from 15th C) then moved onto Amboise. While I enjoyed Amboise I enjoyed my time in Loches far more.