The turning to the left in Cormery, immediately after the second bridge, goes along a beautiful portion of the Indre Valley, through Reignac and Azay-sur-Indre, where, if, instead of crossing the river, one goes on, the more direct route to Loches is joined a short distance beyond Chambourg.
On the direct road, although there are no villages, two very picturesque farms are passed on the left. One of them has three circular stone towers with old conical roofs, and the other a very good hexagonal turret.
After Chambourg hilly country begins, and in
No. 7. TOURS TO POITIERS.
a very short time one enters the interesting old town of
LOCHES
The streets are narrow and picturesque, for above the stone houses there generally frowns a dark machicolated gateway, or a portion of the old town walls which surround the raised site to which the medieval town was restricted.
Some changes are taking place within the walls, which are robbing the town of some of its tortuous ways and some of its glamour, and the hand of the restorer is beginning to appear on the gateways; but although the French idea of restoration is far too radical, the town will maintain its attractiveness for many years to come.