The Fortress of Chinon, part II !!!

Posted in Europe, France

I take you back to this magnificent imposing fortress for a second look (see post). Again, found me some pictures not in my blog and they should, The Fortress of Chinon is a must to visit for especially its history of France and Europe. 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, eventually, Hope you enjoy the post as I.

For geographical reference at least, Chinon is located in the Indre-et-Loire department, 37 in the Centre-Val de Loire region, and in my belle France. It is 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 Royal Fortress of Chinon constitutes a unique ensemble in Touraine. The Fortress is one of the few medieval fortified castles in the Loire Valley. Its history is associated with famous figures: Henri II Plantagenêt, Jacques de Molay, Charles VII, Joan of Arc, Prosper Mérimée, etc. During your visit, you will discover buildings and towers from all eras: of the mill, dog tower, Coudray tower, Boissy tower, Argenton tower, clock tower, treasury tower, royal residences, palace of King Henry II Plantagenêt.,etc

Chinon fortress rampart walls back nov21

Chinon fortress parvis inside nov21

Chinon fortress logis royales front nov21

Chinon fortress logis royale collection nov21

It was in the 10C that a castle was built by Henri II Plantagenêt, count of Anjou and king of England in 1154. The latter will also give this place its current silhouette by building a new palace on the Fort Saint George. At the beginning of the 14C, the fortress was at the center of an important event. Indeed, the Grand Master Jacques de Molay and other high dignitaries of the Order of the Templars were imprisoned there, then tried and burned.

Chinon fortress tour middle nov21

Chinon fortress tour back nov21

You must enjoy the magnificent views of the medieval city, the vineyards of Chinonais and the Vienne valley !! Both imposing and admirable, this fortress is positioned in a very strategic way, allowing it to control the passages over the Vienne river, and the city located below. A privileged place for diplomatic meetings and military strategy, Chinon has a rich history that you will enjoy discovering during your visit,

Chinon fortress vienne river nov21

My favorite story here goes as 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!

After a difficult period, the Royal Fortress of Chinon was handed over free of charge to the regional General Council. The latter launched an unprecedented restoration project on the European continent. The goal is to restore the fortress to its beauty and splendour. And they did, again , a must to visit,

The official Château fortress of Chinon :https://www.forteressechinon.fr/en/

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

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

Here is more from the Assoc of castles of the Loire on the Castle of Chinon :https://www.leschateauxdelaloire.org/en/members/forteresse-royale-de-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. Again, hope you enjoy it as I, And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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