Royal city with a dungeon and a royal house with a collection of Flemish tapestries, a triptych of the school of Jehan Fouquet.
Built on the tip of a rocky spur overlooking the Indre valley, the Cité Royale comprises 2 buildings: the keep and the royal dwelling. Joan of Arc, Agnès Sorel and Anne of Brittany were all guests here. It's a place that has left its mark on history, and one that has lived many lives. The fortress was even transformed into a royal prison in the 15th century by Louis XI. It housed the dungeons of Philippe de Commynes and Ludovico Sforza. This Duke of Milan was a patron of Leonardo da Vinci. His remains were found in the basement of the collegiate church of Saint-Ours. You can also admire artillery pieces from this period displayed on the fire terrace of the Louis XI tower. The dwelling houses a fine collection of Flemish tapestries and a triptych by the school of Jehan Fouquet. Remarkable for its size (36 meters high) and excellent state of preservation, the Romanesque keep was built by Foulques Nerra, Count of Anjou, around the year 1000. Climb up to it and enjoy a breathtaking view of the town. The medieval garden also has its place: it tells its own story. An oasis of peace in the heart of a military edifice: for healing, for nourishment, or simply for fresh air, the medieval garden will hold no secrets for you. This two-site tour will appeal to young and old alike. As with other monuments in the Loire Valley, the HistoPad is also available here.
Theme 2024: Le Roi Voyageur
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Opening time and information on ROYAL CITY OF LOCHES
Closed on January 1st and December 25th. Low season: open every day from 9:30 am to 5 pm. High season : every day from 9am to 7pm. Free until 7 years old. Adult : 10,50 €. Children (from 7 to 18 years old) : 8,50 €. Group (15 people) : 8,50 €. Reduced rate 8,50 - Privilege pass 16 €. Vacation vouchers. Stairlift (Scalamobil) for people with reduced mobility. Wheelchair access ramp. Baby changing area and bottle warmer. Guided tour (free). Store.
Owner's Message
A permanentscenographic tour over 15 spaces (700 m2) to (re-)discover the history of the place and
its emblematic characters, listening to the 2 ambassadors, Amaury & Emeline!
The Royal City of Loches reveals the key moments of its history and the major figures (from the Count of Anjou Foulques III Nerra to
the Queen and Duchess Anne of Brittany) who lived there in a brand new tour that takes the visitor through 500 years of
French history.
With a tactile model, projections, video animations,
sound markers and an evocation of court life, this new scenography
plungesus into the
heart of the great hours of the Royal City of Loches.
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Members' reviews on ROYAL CITY OF LOCHES
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- Faire d'abord le logis Royal, d'époque Renaissance, peu meublé mais intéressant architecturalement. Il présente des expositions temporaires.
- Escalader le donjon (36m) pour une vue imprenable sur la belle cité lochoise, et redescendez dans les cachots (l'inverse est possible aussi !).
Très riche architecturalement, dans une très belle cité médiévale où il fait bon flâner !