Château de Loches, Medieval castle in Loches, France
Château de Loches is a medieval fortress in the Loire region featuring a dominant square keep surrounded by defensive structures and fortified walls. The site comprises multiple areas with buildings spanning different construction periods.
The fortress fell to French control after a prolonged siege in the early 13th century and later became a royal residence. Subsequently, it served as a state prison under a French king to confine political opponents.
The name derives from the Latin word 'locus,' meaning place. Visitors can explore the royal residence where French nobility once conducted court life and made important decisions.
The site is easily accessible on foot with pathways of varying steepness connecting different areas. Comfortable footwear is recommended since exploring the grounds involves walking over uneven surfaces throughout the complex.
Within the walls are specially designed prison cells built when the site served as a state prison for high-ranking captives. These rooms reveal how political opponents were confined with careful attention to security and control.
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