Loches castle was originally built by Fulque Nerra, Count of Anjou. It eventually came into the hands of John of England and then was beseiged and seized by his brother Richard the Lion Hearted. In the adjoining chateau, Joan of Arc again encountered the dauphin, soon to be Charles VII, and convinced him to go to Reims to be crowned King of France. The hilltop is dominated by an enormous donjon that is now hollow. It's tower originally contained four floors of residential and guard rooms for the royal occupants.