Monday 30 April 2012

A walk around...the walls of Loches




Our favourite place in Southern Touraine here in the Loire Valley has to be the medieval town of Loches.    There are many reasons for this, its lively markets,its festivals, its restaurants but mainly for its charm in the actual fabric of the town itself. .It has managed to retain a great deal of its character while still embracing modern living.



                     This week we want to take you around this lovely town to show you what we mean.


When we have guests of our own we always take them here and also encourage our guests at our rental houses to visit. If it is a 'cultural' visit we normally start by parking under, or near, the impressive 'Porte Royale' where there are many spaces if you get there early enough.
                                                                                                             









         
                                                        
  Today we are not taking you through the gate,we will save that for another day ...

        

                   but instead we are going to continue along 'Mall du Dunjon' by the walls of the town,


Then left around behind the dunjon walls itself







As you look up at the dunjon you are passing under its gardens 'Parc Bachet' and here you will find an opportunity to buy some real estate which would allow you to have a prestigious neighbour.



Continuing along 'Bvd,Philippe Auguste' takes you past the impressive St Ours church high up on your left...


then further down towards the busier end of the town with the royal lodgings dominating the skyline.


You will have to take a slight detour right to catch the impressive 'Porte Cordeliers'



Then you can make your way back to the centre of town or your car via the rambling streets of the old town.

3 comments:

  1. Nice post, thanks Jim.
    What a nice day you chose... you couldn't have taken these yesterday!!
    Well, you could have.... but they wouldn't have looked as enchanting.
    [Tim on Pauline's machine]

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  2. A great photo story. It's a favourite of ours too.

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  3. We, too, love Loches and it's been a long time since we visited, so this is a real trip down memory lane. And what fabulous photos!

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