The Saint-Ours church (named after a 5th century abbot) is located at Loches, in Indre-et-Loire.
Having rank of collegiate church until the Revolution and then again becoming a simple parish church, after its chapter was dispersed, it dates for its oldest parts to the 11th and 12th centuries. A first church would have been built in the 5th century by the Bishop of Tours who would become Saint Eustache, but it was in the 10th century that the collegiate church was founded to house a relic (a piece of the Virgin's belt) brought back from Constantinople by the count of Anjou Geoffroy Grisegonelle.
The nave and the transept having collapsed, the collegiate church was rebuilt in the 12th century.
11th century masonry elements are however still visible in the nave, the western tower dating from 1160. At that time, a vault replaced the framed roof then the choir and the apsidioles of the transepts were redesigned. Finally, in the 19th century, the crossing tower was rebuilt and the vaults of the nave and arcades were pierced on the aisles.
However, classified as a Historic Monument since 1840, the collegiate church is renowned above all for its two hollow eight-sided pyramids, the "dubes", covering the nave, architectural elements unique in France, erected around 1165, as well as for its Romanesque polychrome portal carved with characters and animals taken from the bestiary of the Middle Ages.
In addition, it houses the marble recumbent statue of Agnes Sorel (1422-1450, favorite of the King of France Charles VII) who had offered a sumptuous reliquary in gold and agate, which disappeared during the Revolution.
This essential step during a visit to the royal city can be done every day. Please note, a major restoration project has been initiated which may lead to partial closures. Information on +33 2 47 59 48 21 or +33 2 47 91 82 82.
