Forteresse Royale de Chinon — Attraction in Chinon

Besides the castle at Sully-sur-Loire this Royale Fortress at Chinon takes visitors back to 1428 when Joan of Arc sojourned here. To me there is the feeling of her presence imprinted here as a result of her unfolding mission to build and preserve a free France with God's spiritual directives. She knew her path was one of grand sacrifice and loss of her earthly life so much so that she is still imprinted in the town and the fortress.The interiors though reconstructed give a capitol feeling to what she saw and felt. Take the tour with her walking beside you and linger in spots thinking she is right there near you seated and standing. She will leave you an impression of herself when your day there ends and also a yearning to return to linger on a fine afternoon where greatness still lives throughout time. And do visit the town and St Maurice church below to see her stained glass window and Statue and hear the organ play. Imagine where she stayed for 2 night near the church in an Inn and then walk up the cobblestoned Joan of Arc Way that winds up the bluff to the amazing Horloge rectangular Tower and gate that is totally unique among castles and fortresses. The bridge leading to it over a dry moat where sheep graze. Joan and her party had ridden up this way from the town to meet King Charles. Do also climb the interior steps of the tower and circle the narrow top for a 360° view of the area including the Vienne River below. Also a walk around the base of the fortress on the visitors center side is great for guaging it's massive scale and wall construction. Inside the castle grounds to the far end past the Royal chambers to the last Tower where Joan stayed is her yard and a stairway to the the circular surround below which the missing witch hat roof used to connect. From there you can see the fields where Joan rode her horses while awaiting the Kings...

This fortress/chateau is really a must-see if you're anywhere remotely close to the area.

This fortress sits there on the hill behind the village, towering above it. It makes a really impressive sight from the other side of the river.

The history is a colorful one: Count of Blois built the earliest known castle on the mount of Chinon in the 10th century, but there have been settlements on this hills since 3000 years! By 1205, Chinon was one of the last castles in the Loire Valley. It fell to French forces in the Easter of 1205 after a siege of several months.On 6 March 1429 Joan of Arc arrived at Château de Chinon. In 1454 French Queen Marie D'Anjou made the fortress her main residence. Later on Cardinal Richelieu was given the castle to prevent it from coming under the control of unfriendly forces, though he allowed it to fall into ruin. Since 1840, the castle has been recognised as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture. Between 2003 and 2010 the castle was the subject of a massive excavation and restoration project, costing 14.5 million euros.

Now it sits there in all its glory. Many rooms can be explored, many towers and walls. There's a huge amount of sights and information to take in here. As well as wonderful valley views. Picnic spots, a restaurant, toilets and of course a souvenir shop. Dogs are welcome as well, our Bulldog had a good time here.

With the entrance fee comes a tablet with a self-guided virtual tour, very very well done this! There are guided tours as well, but for us the self-guided tour was really good enough.

It is really an impressive fortress/chateau. And there were surprisingly few visitors for this kind of sight on the summer weekday. It might be different on a weekend.

Entrance fee is very fair, staff very friendly. A really great place that you...

This is a combination of restored castle and medieval ruins, spread out across a hilltop overlooking the village of Chinon and the River Vienne. Chinon sits at the meeting point of three French provinces Anjou, Poitou and Touraine and thus has been an important defensive location since Gallo-Roman times. A defensive spot for 3000 years, this hilltop has served to protect the area from various enemies (Vikings, etc.), as well as the home of Henry II Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine (it also served as her prison). Four Knight's Templars were imprisoned at Chinon on the orders of Philip the Fair, King of France--among them Grand Master Jacques de Molay (he was burned at the stake here). In 1429, Joan of Arc came to Chinon to meet the future French king Charles VII. In 1840, the fortress of Chinon was classified as a historic monument.

Enter through a modern building at the base of the Castle gate (the ticket office) and follow the walkway to the clock tower (a bell tower with clock mechanisms at the top). Climb the tower (inside and out) for excellent views of the area and to see the clock mechanism. Follow the ruined walls west to the Logis Royaux to see a plaque to Joan of Arc. The Logis has been restored and includes archeological findings and displays about its famous inhabitants. Further west you can roam through the Tour de Boissy, Tour du Coudray (prison for the Knight's Templar, it includes graffiti attributed to them), a small chapel and various ramparts with cannons.

The one cafe on the site was closed when I visited, so take the Chinon elevator down to the village below the cliffs for lunch. Toilettes are located near this cafe, but no other facilities on the site. Some parts of the castle are still under construction, including exhibits. Informational signs are in French...