The donjon reaches a height of 36 meters, making it one of the tallest Romanesque keeps in existence.
Agnes Sorel, the official mistress of King Charles VII, is interred within a white marble sarcophagus inside the Logis Royal.
The donjon's walls measure up to 3 meters in thickness, designed specifically to withstand prolonged sieges.
Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, was held prisoner in the keep for eight years; he decorated his cell walls with frescoes that are still visible.
The collegiate church of Saint-Ours features unique, pyramid-shaped stone roofs known as 'dômes octogonaux'.
The site was used as a prison until the early 20th century, with its last official use ending around 1926.
The Logis Royal displays the 'Triptych of the Passion', a 15th-century masterpiece of Northern European art.
The Château de Loches is a 12th-century defensive complex located in the Loire Valley, featuring one of Europe's best-preserved Romanesque donjons. The site consists of a formidable square keep, the 15th-century Logis Royal, and the collegiate church of Saint-Ours. The keep functioned as a notorious prison under Louis XI, housing high-profile captives in restricted cells. The Logis Royal highlights Gothic architecture and served as a residence for Joan of Arc and Agnes Sorel. The site is protected by massive defensive curtain walls that overlook the Indre River valley. Visitors can traverse the elevated walkways and descend into the lower dungeons. The complex offers a stark contrast between the austere military architecture of the keep and the refined royal apartments.
The view from the top of the keep looking down over the medieval rooftops of the town of Loches.
Bring a jacket, as the stone interiors of the keep remain significantly cooler than the exterior temperature even in summer.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear to navigate the uneven stone stairs in the keep and the steep inclines of the castle grounds.
Explore the town of Loches itself after your tour, as it retains much of its medieval street plan.
Attempting to climb the keep's interior stairs if you have mobility issues, as they are steep and narrow; stay in the lower, accessible levels instead.
Open daily throughout the year, except for a brief closure period in early January.
Maintain silence in the collegiate church and refrain from touching the historic murals in the prison cells.
