Loches Things to Do

2 more images

During the XIVth century artillery arrived on the scene and thus changed the nature of warfare. Charles VII then Louis IX had a round tower built during the 15th century with machicolations and a gun terrace to better defend the Donjon at Loches.
Just in case you weren't aware, machicolations are where an overhang supported by corbels is built with holes in it that allow defenders to pour hot water or drop stones on attackers.

1 more image

At 36 metres in height and situated on a prominence to begin with, this keep stands out from the surrounding countryside.
Constructed in the IIth century by Foulques Nerra, Count of Anjou, it was later renovated by the Conseil General of Indre et Loire with more passageways added so you can explore previously hidden places.
You can also walk around at the top with great views over the countryside.

1 more image

Directly west of Poitiers, and served by regular SNCF buses, the attractive small town of PARTHENAY was once an important stop on the pilgrim routes to Compostela and is now the site of a major cattle market every Wednesday. It's not a place to make a special detour for, but it's worth a stopover if you're passing by.
Parthenay has some interesting stuff to see, like its medieval heart. Rue Jean-Jaurès and rue de la Saunerie cut in through the largely pedestrian shopping precinct to the Gothic Porte de l'Horloge, the fortified gateway to the old Citadel on a steep-sided neck of land above the loop of the River Thouet.
Through the gateway, on rue de la Citadelle, the attractively simple Romanesque church of Ste-Croix faces the mairie across a small garden, which offers views over the ramparts and the gully of St-Jacques, with its medieval houses and vegetable plots climbing the opposite slope. Further along rue de la Citadelle is a house where Cardinal Richelieu used to visit his grandfather.

Although it is a very nice building to see, it is easy to overlook it because of the huge gateway it is attached too. When you walk under the Picois Gate, the town hall will be on your right hand side. It was build between 1553 and 1543. I didn't go in since i was a bit pressed for time and I'm not sure one could go far. But the hallway should give a good impression of the buildings' interior

Every time you pas a gate of an earlier defense wall, you go back in time even more. When you've passed the citadel gate, this is the scene you'll see. The road to the left will get you to the church and the castle, The way ahead will lead to the keep. This is a place where you really can not loose your way since this is all there is.

2 more images

The west end of the church is preceded by a 11C bell-tower and a narthex (or porch) as was customary at the time the church was built (12C). The main door is under the narthex , which itself is square with ribbed groin vaulting. The door is capped by a series of archivolts containing carved voussoirs of weird animals. They appear not to have properly planned a tympanum but have installed scenes of the Adoration of the Magi (left)and on the right them dreaming and being prompted by an angel. Mary is at the center. Along the jambs are single statues, one of Peter. These decorations are much worn but as 12C remnants are early sculptures. To the right (south) of the door is a stoup created from a hollowed-out Gallo-Roman column.

2 more images

As one views the church from the South, it appears to have four steeples in a row, the outer two being taller. Indeed the tower on the left (west) is the bell-towe and is 11C with a newer top. The one on the far right is the crossing tower (12C). The two shorter ones are actually octagonal domes that cover the nave (just after 1150)). The use of domes as covering is so unusual that it will be treated as a General Tip. The church is Romanesque, mostly 12C and has a narthex and an interesting entry also covered separately. Inside, the church has only a nave and a south aisle but has a wide transept with tall barrel vault top providing clarity within.

3 more images

The castle has two wings linked end to end. The older one is taller (north ,15C), was created for Charles VII and used primarily to house his mistress Agnes Sorel. The newer wing (south, 16C) was built for Charles VIII and Louis XII. The rooms are sparsely furnished and decorated. The most important one (historically) is preserved as the room in which Joan d'Arc convinced Charles VII to go to Reims to be crowned King establishing France as a sovereign state and legitimate entity. Another room houses the restored Tomb of Agnes Sorel (treated by us as a separate General Tip). Nearby a room houses a Crucifixion tryptich of the School of Jean Fouquet (15C). In the newer wing is a charming Oratory of Anne de Bretagne.