Paris1972-Versailles2003

So here I continue in lovely Chinon and after some other things to see, let me tell you about the Fortress of Chinon. They are plenty of things to see and been all over by car and on foot. The architecture , history and just plain medieval ambiance are tops. Anyway for this road warrior , Chinon is just 3h15 with tolls or 3h45 without tolls, from my house and we will be back!

For geographical reference at least, Chinon is located in the Indre-et-Loire department, 37 in the Centre-Val de Loire region. 47 km from Tours, 30 km from Saumur, 80 km from Angers, 85 km from Poitiers, and 305 km from Paris, Also about 314 km (about 195 miles) from my house. We like to go on the D751 linked to Tours, which partly bypasses the city.

The main thing to see here is the Royal Fortress of Chinon located on the rocky outcrop dominating the right bank of the Vienne river and the city. The whole is divided into three distinct parts, which the kings called their “three castles”, and which appear in a stylized way, in the form of three towers, on the coat of arms of the city. the spur is blocked by a series of ditches which separate the three castles: Fort du Coudray, Chateau du Milieu, and Fort Saint-Georges, each with an independent enclosure. The main buildings, including the royal residences, as well as the Saint-Melaine Chapel were located in the main castle, the Château du Milieu. The entrance to the Château du Milieu, which forms the central part of the ensemble, is via the Clock Tower, built in the 14C, the moat that separates the Château du Milieu from Fort Saint Georges was once spanned by a bridge of wood leading to a drawbridge. A stone bridge replaced it. A new building, integrated into the site, houses the reception, the shop, the ticket office and an exhibition hall. An archaeological site prior to the work allowed the exploration of nearly 4,000 m2 and brought to light the palace built by King Henry II Plantagenet around 1160, as well as several towers and a chapel.

Jeanne D’Arc, indeed, arrived in Chinon on February 23, 1429 after 470 km covered in 11 days on her horse. There were two interviews in Chinon, the first in the bedroom of King Charles VII, two days after Joan of Arc’s arrival in Chinon. It was subsequently housed in the keep of Coudray. After an assembly of women chaired by the Queen of Sicily verified the virginity of the Maid of Orleans. She is sent to Poitiers by the King so that specialists can judge her good faith. Once the procedure is over, King Charles VII receives her again at the Royal Fortress of Chinon. It is within this that Joan of Arc made the promise to lead the king to the coronation, and victory!

The City of Chinon on its heritage : https://www.ville-chinon.com/loisirs/tourisme-et-patrimoine/decouvrir-ma-ville/patrimoine-a-decouvrir

The official Château fortress of Chinon : https://www.forteressechinon.fr/en/things-to-see-do/permanent-exhibition

The Touraine Val de Loire tourist office on the fortress of Chinon: https://www.touraineloirevalley.co.uk/cultural-heritage/royal-fortress-of-chinon-chinon/

There you go folks a wonderful old fortress castle that is still imposing  and pretty in gorgeous Chinon. This is a must and worth the detour indeed. Hope you enjoy it as I did! And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

So here I continue in lovely Chinon and after some other monuments, let me tell you about the churches of Chinon. They are plenty and been over a weekend in service or closed; nevertheless the architecture , history and know them is plenty for this road warrior traveler. Anyway Chinon is just 3h15 with tolls or 3h45 without tolls, from my house and we will be back!

Chinon is located in the Indre-et-Loire department, 37 in the Centre-Val de Loire region. 47 km from Tours, 30 km from Saumur, 80 km from Angers, 85 km from Poitiers, and 305 km from Paris, Also about 314 km (about 195 miles) from my house. We like to go on the D751 linked to Tours, which partly bypasses the city.

There are so many monuments in Chinon, and of course, plenty of churches; I will pick three as my historically incline favorites. Let me tell you a bit about them, and hope you enjoy the tour. We took a ride by car as hilly roads and my Dad on wheelchair would have been difficult if impossible. We stop each time we reach a church.

The Saint-Étienne Church , the parish church in the district of Saint-Étienne, was entirely rebuilt in the 15C on a very simple plan: a single nave and a very bright choir lit by numerous windows. These bays now house glass roofs in particular four episodes from the religious life of Chinon and the surrounding area: the death of Saint Martin at Candes in 397, the miracle of Saint Maxime in Chinon in the 5C, Sainte Radegonde coming to visit Saint John on the site of the chapel which will bear his name, finally the recognition of Charles VII by Joan of Arc in 1429. Service going on…

The Collegiate Church of Saint-Maxime (Mexme) was the main religious building in Chinon until the French revolution, today a cultural center. The Romanesque nave from the year 1000 houses a small wooden theater. The western massif from 1050 contains wall paintings from the 12C, 13C, and 15C, and a beautiful staircase from the 18C. Was closed.

The Sainte-Radegonde Chapel is a 6C hermitage on which was built a troglodyte chapel, which has been occupied since very ancient times. It was undoubtedly a pre-Christian place of worship, as suggested, among other things, by the well that had been dug there. The complex has three remaining cellars, as well as interesting galleries and interior rooms. The chapel contains numerous wall paintings, including a famous 12C ‘royal hunt’ that is believed to depict members of the Plantagenet family. Was closed.

The Church Saint Maurice at Pl Saint Maurice was rebuilt in the 12C and gradually enlarged until the 16C. The lower nave was added in 1543. Romanesque bell tower. Gothic, Angevin style nave and choir, Renaissance aisle. Rich carved decoration inside. You can admire the figurative nice 19C stained-glass windows and from the 1950s in the aisle. The cemetery was located on the Place Saint-Maurice, then transferred to the heights of Chinon. It was built under Henry II of Plantagenets who later became King of England.Was closed.

The City of Chinon on its heritage : https://www.ville-chinon.com/loisirs/tourisme-et-patrimoine/decouvrir-ma-ville

There you go folks, a nice tour of the wonderful churches of splendid Chinon, a must to visit me think. We will be back for more soon. Hope you enjoy the post and do visit. And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!