Recast of the façade 1550 (≈ 1550)
Innovative work of French architecture.
4e quart XVe siècle
Initial construction
Initial construction 4e quart XVe siècle (≈ 1587)
Integrate medieval defensive elements.
2e moitié XVIIe siècle
Major extensions
Major extensions 2e moitié XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Add wings and gallery around the courtyard.
8 août 1923
First ranking
First ranking 8 août 1923 (≈ 1923)
Front on protected street.
4 juin 1993
Classification and registration
Classification and registration 4 juin 1993 (≈ 1993)
Protection extended to the entire monument.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Façade sur rue : classification by decree of 8 August 1923; Facades and roofs; stair tower; gallery at the back of the courtyard; late 15th century tower of the old city rampart and remains of the old round road that are attached to it (see AW 326): classification by decree of 4 June 1993; House, with the exception of classified parts (AW 326): entry by order of 4 June 1993
Origin and history
The Chancellery House is a historic monument located at 8, 10 and 12 rue du Château in Loches, Indre-et-Loire. It is part of the Haincque Hotel and is distinguished by its L-shaped plan, including a building body on the street, a wing in return for square and a polygonal staircase tower. Its origins date back to the 4th quarter of the 15th century, with major transformations in the 1st quarter of the 16th century and the 2nd half of the 17th century. The facade on the street, which was rebuilt in 1550, is considered one of the most innovative architectural works in France around 1551.
The monument includes 15th century fortification remains, including a tower flanking the old Loches rampart and traces of the round road. In the 17th century, several buildings were added around an inner courtyard, including a living wing, a gallery and sheds. The medieval tower, located at the southwest corner, bears witness to the defensive history of the city. The house has been classified and listed as historical monuments since 1923 and 1993, and is now owned by the municipality.
The official protection covers the street façade (classified in 1933), the facades and roofs, the stair tower, the gallery, as well as the tower of the rampart and the remains of the round road (classified in 1993). The rest of the house has been registered since the same year. These elements illustrate the architectural evolution of Loches, between the Middle Ages, Renaissance and classical period.
The location of the house, close to the castle of Loches, underlines its importance in the historic urban fabric. Its hybrid architecture, combining medieval defences and Renaissance innovations, reflects the region's political and cultural transitions. The 16th century works, in particular, marked a stylistic break with Gothic traditions, announcing the classic cannons.
Available sources, including the Merimée and Monumentum bases, confirm the heritage interest of the site. The House of Chancellery is today a material testimony of the history of Loches, from its defensive role to its adaptation to the residential needs of later eras. Its state of conservation and location make it a point of interest for the study of urban planning and architecture in Touraine.
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