From Wine and Closed Roads by travelqueen

Nestled within the limits of Loches, one of France’s most charming and picturesque towns, stands the Chateau de Loches, a rustic ancient castle that has been home to counts and kings. The castle is surrounded by a magnificent wall, and includes religious and royal buildings like the Church of St. Ours, the Royal Lodge, and the donjon. RealTraveler travelqueen explored the ruins of Chateau de Loches - today’s travel photo of the day - on her recent trip to France, and shared her experience in her blog, Castles, Wine, and Closed Roads:

“Loches as a fortress has been around since the tenth century. It was a self supporting city, completely walled, and so it still exists as a medieval city unto itself, towering over the valley. I park in the town below and walk up to the base of the ramparts and in through a gate. The ancient walls rise up on either side of me, draped with ivy and clinging vines. The road is so narrow, barely one car can slide by. There are still homes here, but some of the windows are shuttered, and all I see is a lone dog wandering. Kind of eerie. The compound consists of a keep (for defense, and boasts a tall square building of 44 meters high, the highest in France.) There use to be a roof, and little sloped balconies attached at the top, with openings in the floor to drop boiling oil and rocks on intruders. Of course there were dungeons, and I also descended a circular staircase to the dry moat.” (more…)

If you get caught up in the romance of ancient castles, or just love learning about cool architecture, check out more castles around the world. And for travelers interested in adventuring through the gorgeous hillsides and historic villages of France, the links below will get you started planning a great trip.

Useful Links:
France Travel Guide
Top Spots in France
France Hotel Reviews
France Attractions