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The Château de Loches is located in the departement of Indre-et-Loire in the Loire Valley in France and is a very ancient castle first constructed in the 9th century. Built more than 1,600 feet above the Indre River, the huge castle, famous mostly for its massive keep, dominates the town of Loches .

Captured and occupied by Henry II of England ( Plantagenet) and his son, Richard the Lionhearted during the 12th century, the castle withstood the assaults by the French King Philippe II in their wars for control of France until it was finally captured by King Philippe in 1205. Construction work immediately turned Loches into a huge military fortress.

The castle would become a favorite residence of Charles VII of France who gave it to his mistress, Agnès Sorel, as her residence. It would be converted for use as a State prison by his son, King Louis XILouis XI ( July 3, 1423 August 30, 1483) was a King of France ( 1461 1483). He was the son of Charles VII of France and Mary of Anjou. He was a member of the Valois Dynasty and was one of the most successful kings of France in terms of uniting the country who had lived there as a child but preferred the royal castle at AmboiseThe Royal Chateau at Amboise is a chateau located in Amboise, in the Indre-et-Loire departement of the Loire Valley in France. Built for defence purposes on a promontory overlooking the Loire River, the chateau began its life in the 12th century. Expanded.

During the American RevolutionThe American Revolution refers to the series of events, ideas, and changes that resulted in the political separation of thirteen colonies in North America from the British Empire and the creation of the United States of America. The American Revolutionary, France financed and fought with the Americans against England and King Louis XVILouis XVI of France ( August 23, 1754 January 21, 1793) succeeded his grandfather ( Louis XV of France) as King of France on May 10, 1774; he was crowned on June 11, 1775. His father, the Louis dauphin son of Marie Leszczynska, had died in 1765. Louis was used the castle of Loches as a prison for captured Englishmen.

At the time of the French RevolutionThe period of the French Revolution in the history of France covers the years between 1789 and 1799, in which democrats and republicans overthrew the absolute monarchy and the Roman Catholic Church perforce underwent radical restructuring. While France wo, the chateau was ransacked and severely damaged. Some major restoration began in 1806 but today there are parts visible as ruins only. Owned by the Commune of Loches, the castle and the adjacent ancient Church of Saint-Ours are open to the public.