Château de Loches

Château de Loches
Loches, France
The Porte royale
Shown within France
Type	Castle
Coordinates	47.124722°N 0.996667°E / 47.124722; 0.996667
Construction materials	Stone
Current owner	Commune of Loches
Open to the public	Yes

The Château de Loches is a castle located in the département of Indre-et-Loire in the Loire Valley in France; it was constructed in the 9th century. Built some 500 meters above the Indre River, the huge castle, famous mostly for its massive square keep, dominates the town of Loches.

History

Aerial view of the château

Designed and occupied by Henry II of England and his son, Richard the Lionheart during the 12th century, the castle withstood the assaults by the French king Philip II in their wars for control of France until it was finally captured by King Philippe in 1205. Construction work immediately upgraded Loches into a huge military fortress.

The castle would become a favorite residence of Charles VII of France who gave it to his mistress, Agnès Sorel, as her residence. It would be converted for use as a State prison by his son, King Louis XI who had lived there as a child but preferred the royal castle at Amboise.

During the American Revolution, France financed and fought with the Americans against England and King Louis XVI used the castle of Loches as a prison for captured Englishmen.

Floor plan of the Château.

At the time of the French Revolution, the château was ransacked and severely damaged. Some major restoration began in 1806 but today there are parts visible as ruins only. Owned by the Commune of Loches, the castle and the adjacent ancient Church of Saint-Ours are open to the public.

Château de Loches has been recognised as a monument historique since 1861 and is listed by the French Ministry of Culture.

See also

• List of castles in France

External links

• Ministry of Culture database entry for Château de Loches (French)
• Ministry of Culture photos
• French website about castle Loches with a lot of pictures and a full history