Major city · France
Loches
Half a day to see the citadel and castle; one night if you want to walk the medieval streets at dusk. A day trip from Tours works.
Loches is a walled medieval town in the Loire Valley, 45 min from Tours, with a thousand-year-old castle, a Romanesque church and a quiet old quarter of tuffeau stone houses. It is a Plus Beaux Détours de France and Ville d'Art et d'Histoire. Most visitors come for the citadel complex and leave by evening.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot)
- Airport
- TUF
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Loches17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Loches, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTUF Tours Val de Loire (About 45 min by car; limited flights.
- Getting aroundWalkable: the citadel and old town are compact.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€1.50–3.00 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealDinner in a restaurant€20–35 (≈ US$25–45)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi€15–20 (≈ US$18–25)
- Budget bedHostel bed or chambre d'hôte, a night, per person€35 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a hotel or guesthouse, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room in a hotel or guesthouse, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TUF Tours Val de Loire (About 45 min by car; limited flights. Paris CDG is 2.5 h by train via Tours.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Loches: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable: the citadel and old town are compact. A car is useful for the surrounding châteaux and villages.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 35 min
Car via D943 and D976, about 30 min
The most photographed Loire château, built over the Cher river.
Chambord
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via D943 and D952, about 50 min
The largest Loire château; allow 2–3 hours on site.
Door to door: About 1 h
Train or bus, about 1 h; car 45 min
Larger city with cathedral, museums and good restaurants.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Car via D943 and A85, about 1 h 15 min
UNESCO cathedral and half-timbered old town.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Within the walls (Cité Médiévale)
Quiet, cobbled streets, closest to the castle. Limited hotels.
Town centre (around Place de la Marne)
Near the station and tourist office; more restaurants and parking.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a hotel or guesthouse1 × 1 night × €110 | €110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Citadel entry (castle + donjon)2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| Train from Tours, return2 × €16 · check | €32 |
| Parking for the day1 × €5 | €5 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €37 |
| Trip total≈ €204 per person per day, bed included | €408≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €1.50–3.00 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Lunch menu (plat + drink) | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Dinner in a restaurant | €20–35 (≈ US$25–45) |
| Bottle of local wine | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
| 5 km taxi | €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The citadel entrance fee is about €10–12 (≈ US$12–14) (check).
- Steep cobbled paths inside the citadel; wear flat shoes.
- Last admission to the donjon is earlier than the rest of the site (check seasonal hours).
- Parking outside the walls is easier than driving inside the medieval streets.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LochesLoches
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Paris; most consulates are in Paris. For emergencies, contact the embassy in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Tours → Loches: about €8 (≈ US$10) one way, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi Loches station → citadel: €10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où est le château ? — Where is the castle? (oo ay luh shah-toh)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syon, seel voo pleh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Loches. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the citadel, Saint-Ours church and the donjon with verified opening hours and ticket prices.
- Eat pages with last orders and lunch menus.
- Walking route from the station through the old town to the citadel.
- Parking map with free and paid lots.
Sources
- officialLoches tourist office
- officialVille de Loches
- secondaryWikivoyage: Loches, revision 4312081 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Loches
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