Loches

Loches, in the Indre-et-Loire department, is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Dominated by its royal citadel, it combines a royal lodge, the distinctively designed Saint-Ours collegiate church, and an imposing 11th-century keep that reflects its defensive past. The ramparts, along with the Porte des Cordeliers and Porte Picoys, still shape the layout of the old town, ideal for wandering through cobbled lanes lined with timber-framed houses. The River Indre runs through the town, offering pleasant riverside walks. After visiting the château or the medieval citadel, the Balto accueillant makes for a welcoming stop for a drink in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. Loches also serves as a convenient base for exploring southern Touraine, with its vineyards, forests and charming villages. The town hosts a lively traditional market, a good reflection of local life, and its historic setting makes it a popular choice for a quiet, human-scale stay, away from the bustle of the Loire Valley's larger towns.