The best walks and hikes around Saint-Senoch

Take a detour to the Tour Saint-Antoine: a tower built between 1529 and 1575, once the bell tower of a now-defunct chapel. It stands 52 meters tall and, from its balustrade, offers stunning views of the old town, the valleys, and the surrounding rooftops. A perfect stop for those who love history and panoramic views.

We bet you'll love Loches! Winding through the grand royal city, the charming cobbled streets offer glimpses of the courtyards of magnificent mansions, as well as the more open landscapes of the surrounding countryside. Stroll around, saunter, and soak up the atmosphere. The city center boasts a wealth of shops and restaurants. There's certainly plenty to be found in this city. A visit to the Jardin Public is also well worth it.

Above the town of Loches, on a rocky plateau, lies a royal complex. It includes three large building complexes: one of the oldest keep (medieval tower houses) in France in the south, a collegiate church in the center, and the Logis Royal (the royal castle) in the north. The entire complex is surrounded by a nearly two-kilometer-long ring wall. The entire complex is very impressive. If you're in the area, you should definitely take a detour to Loches. You can find interesting information about the complex on Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Loches

The tower is the only Renaissance bell tower in the province of Touraine and was granted historic monument status in 1840. It is 52 meters high and was built between 1529 and 1575. The tower opens exclusively during the European Heritage Days and requires advance reservation at the Tourist Office starting in August.

The donjon is a residential tower or defensive tower of a medieval castle in the French cultural area. The donjon is 36 meters high, has a square floor plan, and is characterized by an excellent state of preservation. It was probably built by Fulk III of Anjou in the 11th century. In the 15th century, the fortress was converted into a royal prison by Louis XI. It houses the cells of Philippe de Commynes, Cardinal Balue, and the Duke of Milan, who spent his time painting murals. In 1801, Napoleon I transferred the state prison to the department. The donjon was used as a prison until 1926. In any case, it is an impressive complex, as is the entire town of Loches, which is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

The Notre-Dame Collegiate Church is dedicated to Saint Ursus, who converted the region to Christianity in the 5th century. I was particularly impressed by the richly decorated Romanesque portal. Another important sight is the beautiful alabaster tombstone of Agnès Sorel, the mistress of King Charles VII, which radiates peace and gentleness.

This fortified keep is a feat of military engineering built from 1013 to 1035 by the then Count of Anjou. Many royal figures have made it their home and frequented it over the centuries, which explains why Loches is known as a "royal city". These figures include Joan of Arc, Anne of Brittany and King Charles VII.

A short climb will take you to the Chateau de Loches, where Agnès Sorel has been watching over the Lochois for years.