Chinon, town (1993 est. pop. 8,961), Indre-et-Loire department,

W central France, in Touraine, on the Vienne River. Chinon was an important medieval town and many buildings (notably three churches) from that period are preserved. Its castle, overlooking the river, consists of three distinct fortresses built from the 11th to the 15th cent.—the Château Saint-Georges, the Château du Milieu, and the Château du Coudray. The builders of the castle included Philip II of France, Richard I of England (the Lionhearted), and Henry II of France (who died there in 1559). In the Château du Milieu in 1429 Joan of Arc presented herself to Charles VII of France and correctly identified him although he was disguised. In La Devinière, a nearby hamlet, stands the house where the poet Rabelais was born (c.1490). - Read More....

Located in the heart of the Val de Loire area and of the Regional Natural Park Loire - Anjou - Touraine, the Chinon area lies between two rivers, the royal Loire and the majestic Vienne. Its treasures are Chinon, a town steeped in history, and Candes Saint-Martin, one of " the Most Beautiful Villages of France". The surrounding, countryside, particularly the lower valley of the Vienne and the area between the Vienne and the Loire known as the Véron, delight visitors with its lovely scenery and many interesting architectural features. Not to be forgotten of course is the local beverage, Chinon's noble wine, already celebrated in the writings of François Rabelais, one of Chinon's most famous sons.

History

This walk, which takes you through the oldest parts of the town, cannot be considered exhaustive, and sightseers will make further discoveries of their own, or opt for a guided tour arranged through the Tourist Office.
In the Middle Ages, Chinon developed especially during the reign of Henry II, Henry Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, crowned King of England in 1154. The castle was rebuilt and extended, becoming one of his favorite residences.

Chinon was included in the French royal estates in 1205, but it was during the Hundred Years War that the town took on a new lease of life. The heir apparent, the future Charles VII, had sought refuge in 1418 in those provinces that had remained faithful to him and made lengthy stays with his court in Chinon. In 1429, Joan of Arc came here to acknowledge him. The castle was then at the height of its glory.

From the 16th century, Chinon was no longer a royal residence, and in 1631 it became part of the estates of the Duke of Richelieu, who neglected the castle. Apart from townhouses and convents that were built, the city changed little up to the Revolution. Changes occured during the Revolution, when religious buildings fell into neglect, and during the nineteenth century. The fortifications were pulled down in the 1820s and the banks of the Vienne were developed to open the city up to the outside.

The historic center was registered as a sector of preservation area since 1968, and since that time has been undergoing
restoration in order to respect and preserve its historic and architectural identity. This walk, which takes you through the oldest parts of the town, cannot be considered exhaustive, and sightseers
will make further discoveries of their own, or opt for a guided tour arranged through the Tourist Office.

Read More....