Loches is a small city (just under 7,000 people) about forty minutes south and west of us. Its prominent features include the ruins of a medieval château and its donjon, an interesting church, and a renaissance château, all built on the high bluff that dominates the city. The church is the final resting place of Agnès Sorel (1422-1450), the official mistress of king Charles VII.
Loches hosts an animated market every Wednesday and Saturday. I haven't been down to Loches in a while, especially since the pandemic hit, but it's a great destination for an easy day trip on a nice day. Besides the castles, the city is quite walkable with lots of shops and restaurants to tempt visitors.
Loches rhymes with a standard American pronunciation of the word "lush."
That's such an inviting entrance. Quite loches.
ReplyDeleteGood one, Mitchell -- ha!
DeleteI always remember the lively discussion in comments on Ken's blog, one week, about the pronunciation of Loches. Australian, British, and Americans were all chiming in, realizing that we all pronounce English words differently. It was a fun discussion.
I was thinking about that same discussion, Judy! Somehow this town was missed on my trip to this area. Must correct that asap.
DeleteWhat Mitchell said! Those flowers are so nice in that spot.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful entry.
ReplyDeleteYou took me there! It was a good day, as I recall.
ReplyDeleteThe name "Loches" makes me laugh every time I think of it.
A beautiful entranceway, indeed.
ReplyDeleteYour description of Agnès Sorel as the "official mistress of king Charles VII" makes me wonder how many unofficial ones and who they were. These days, they'd probably have a Facebook group to compare notes.
mitch, there's your espanish accent!
ReplyDeletejudy, yes. I almost didn't write that line in fear of starting that up again.
evelyn, very pretty, indeed.
bettyann, :)
chris, me too... lol
emm, French kings through history had "official" mistresses as their wives were usually the result of politically arranged marriages. Apparently, Charles VII was the first king whose mistress was officially recognized as such.