A view from above -taken in Touraine

From the top of the Porte Royale, the rooftops of the medieval town of Loches unfold below, with the distinctive Tower of Saint-Antoine rising above them. Narrow streets weave between centuries-old stone houses, following routes that have remained remarkably unchanged for generations.

This elevated viewpoint offers one of the finest panoramas in Touraine, revealing the close-knit fabric of a town where medieval streets, historic buildings and everyday life continue to exist side by side.

The Tower of Saint-Antoine is all that remains of the former Church of Saint-Antoine, which was largely destroyed during the French Revolution. Rising above the rooftops, the tower has become one of Loches' best-known landmarks. From the top of the Porte Royale, you can appreciate not only this surviving bell tower but also the medieval street pattern below—little changed over the centuries.

“In Touraine, even the silence tells a story.”

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Part of the “Taken in Touraine” Series

Every Thursday, we pause somewhere in Touraine — a village, a vineyard, or a quiet riverside — to capture the spirit of this timeless Loire region.

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On the Streets of Touraine - December in Loches.

A calm December view along the historic streets of Loches, where pale stone façades guide the eye toward the fortified gateways of the old town. This approach to the Porte Royale, with the former town hall beside it and that of Porte des Cordeliers reflects Loches as both a lived-in town and a place shaped by centuries of defence, administration and everyday life. The winter light and the quieter  streets allow the architecture of the medieval town to take centre stage.

Loches— the charm of everyday Touraine life.

“The streets here don’t hurry. They simply invite you to walk, to notice, to belong.”

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Part of the “On the Streets of the Loire” Series

Each Saturday, we stroll through the lanes and cobbles of Loire towns and villages — places where every step feels like a story.

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Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench - no frills but thrills at Loches.

 

On the terrace of the Porte Royale (13th-15th centuries), in Loches which offers an exceptional panoramic view of the town.

Many visitors to Loches are not aware of the access to the top of the gate from the gardens of the 'Musee Lansyer' the former home of Emmanuel Lansyer, a 19th century landscape painter.(worth a visit also) and miss out on the views.

Well worth the climb.