Château de Loches

About this place

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 metres away from the river Indre, the huge castle, famous mostly for its massive square keep, dominates the town of Loches. The castle was captured from the English by King Philip II of France in 1204. Look at the entrances, walls and surrounding terrain together. Their relationship helps explain how the site controlled movement and protected its occupants, while later alterations can reveal the shift from military stronghold to residence or monument.