- Join for free
- Sign In
Latest Loches hotel reviews
Helpfulness
Favorite thing: The part of the Chateau built by Charles VII mostly housed his young mistress Agnes Sorel, a beauty and the first openly acknowledged consort of her type. She spent most of her time here to avoid the irritation of the Dauphin (to become Louis XI). Agnes (note that Agnus=lamb in Latin) died suddenly at age 28 in 1450 and of course poisoning was immediately suspected. This allowed haters of Jacques Coeur (See our Bourges Tips on him) to convince the wimpish king that he did it with disastrous consequences to Jacques. The King had a beautiful tomb created for Agnes which was only installed in the church of St.-Ours after threatening the monks with expropriations if they did not agree. During the Revolution, the beautiful effigy was taken for a female saint and extensively damaged. It has been restored. It is now in a special room in the older part of the castle (See Our Tip). Her fine face is said to be from her death-mask. Note the lambs at her feet. She was indeed a beauty as her paintings also attest. We have never seen anyone else adopt her iconic pose.
Fondest memory: Visions of a beautiful woman.
Written Feb 27, 2009
Helpfulness
Favorite thing: There was a rise in religiosity as 1000 AD approached and the end of the world was expected. When this did not occur, the wave continued leading to much church building. in the 11C. But flat wooden roofs lead to devastating fires and stone barrel-vaulted naves felt cramped and dark reminding some of the catacombs. Architects could not find a new solution. In Venice and Palermo (ca 1050) San Marco and San Cataldo (See our Palermo Tips) used the Byzantine brought long ago from Rome of setting stone domes over square spaces. Size was limited but both here in the late 12C and a few years earlier at Fontevrault Abbey (See our Tips) domes were used as vaulting of the naves. These are octagonal in shape. Two were needed and another flatter one provided an undercover for the transept crossing tower (in the picture). This trend was not further adopted because the Gothic age was just born and the pointed arch and flying buttresses solved the vaulting problem.
Fondest memory: The unusual octagonal structure of the domes
Written Feb 27, 2009
1 - 2 of 2
Sponsored Links
37 Opinions
37 Opinions
37 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Loches attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Loches sightseeing.
There was a rise in religiosity as 1000 AD approached and the end of the world was expected. When this did not occur, the wave continued leading to much church...
1 member lives in Loches
Our members can help!
1
An Amorous Escape in an Old Fortress
The town of Loches (pop. 7K) surrounds a steep hill upon which the castle is situated surrounded by ramparts which enclose a large area containing also a massive tall keep and an older Romanesque...
2
During the 3-day trip that i took driving back from the south of France, i ended up in a small hotel in one of the many small places along the way. It was already a little later and i wasn?t very...
3
Loches - Century old Fortified Town
If you have even a slight interest in the history of France, Loches is an essential stopping spot on your quest for enlightenment. It certainly got under my skin. Because of the homework I did before...
4
Loches was a fantastic city/castle that we would have never seen had it not been for our host at the bed and breakfast we were staying at in Amboise. She said it would be exciting and a great...
5
It has cobbled streets and an 11th century keep perched on a rocky spur. It is here in Loches that Joan of Arc persuaded Charles VII to march north back in June 1429 to be crowned. Charles VII royal...
Build your own Loches page
Sponsored Links
