Earlier this year the Cluny Museum of Medieval Art in Paris held a special exhibition of art from the reign of Charles VII. He is a much under rated late medieval king of France, and his mistress, Agnes Sorel, lived in Loches. The Cluny approached the town of Loches with a request to borrow her beautiful tomb effigy, the first time such a loan had been agreed. But on the day the specialist art transporters came to lift the effigy off the tomb and take it to Paris everyone involved was in for a nasty shock. The effigy was barely lifted a few millimetres and it was obvious that an old crack, dating from the 19the century, was opening up, and she would break in two if efforts to lift her continued. At the very last minute the loan had to be cancelled and the exhibition went ahead without her. That means, that if you want to see what was to have been the star piece you have to come to Loches and see her in situ.
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| The effigy of Agnes Sorel taken a few days after the removal attempt, with the crack clearly showing between her elbow and her belt. |
We are always happy to welcome visitors to Loches. It is packed with history, and Agnes's story alone will fascinate and intrigue you. Why not book a 3 hour walking tour of Loches, or a chauffeured tour that includes this charming medieval town?
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