Visiting Château de Chinon

Located on the banks of the Vienne River in France's Loire Valley, the Château de Chinon, more accurately referred to as the Forteresse Royale de Chinon (Royal Fortress of Chinon), is a magnificent testament to a bygone era. Steeped in history, this sprawling complex of fortresses offers a captivating glimpse into medieval life, royal intrigue, and the power struggles that shaped France and England.

Construction of the Château de Chinon began in the 10th century, and over the centuries, it evolved into a formidable complex of three distinct fortresses:

• Le Château du Milieu (The Middle Castle), the oldest part, offers stunning panoramic views.
• Le Fort Saint-Georges (Fort Saint-Georges), known for its imposing keep, the Tour du Coudray.
• Le Fort Saint-Georges (Fort Saint-Germain), featuring a network of underground passages.

The Château de Chinon played a pivotal role in the tumultuous relationship between France and England. Notably, it served as a favored residence of King Henry II of England and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. History buffs will be enthralled by tales of legendary figures like Joan of Arc, who visited the fortress in 1429 to rally support for the French crown.

The Château de Chinon is a complex of three castles, each with its own unique character. The Château Fort is the oldest part of the castle, and is home to the castle's donjon, or keep. The Château du Milieu was built in the 12th century, and is home to the castle's royal apartments. The Château du Coudray was built in the 15th century, and is home to the castle's gardens.

The oldest portion, known as the "Fort St. Georges," dates back to the 10th century and offers a glimpse into the medieval era. The "Château du Milieu" became famous during the reign of King Henry II of England and Richard the Lionheart, who resided here. The "Fort du Coudray," built during the 14th century, reflects later architectural styles.

In 1308, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay, was imprisoned in the Fortress (by King Philip) as part of the trial of the Templars.

Chinon Castle played a pivotal role in the Hundred Years' War and served as a residence for French and English monarchs. It is most renowned for being the site where Joan of Arc recognized the Dauphin Charles VII in 1429.

In 1840 Château de Chinon was classified as a historic monument. However, because the chateau ruins were dangerous, the municipality requested the demolition of the castle. The castle received a subsidy from the Historic Monuments Commission for restoration work which began in 1857.

• How do I get to Château de Chinon?

  From Paris by Car: Follow A6 to D-646 in Sauvigny-le-Bois. Take exit 22 from A6 toward Avallon. At that point, you will need to follow this Google Map as the route becomes a bit more complicated with turns and roundabouts.

  From Paris by Train: There are 9 trains per day from Gare Montparnasse, you will have to change trains in Tours.

  From Paris by Bus tour: Either Viator or Get Your Guide will have bus tours that you can investigate.

• Château de Chinon Parking: Small payant lot on the south side of the Château next to the elevator. Another parking lot can be found on the north side of the Château and a larger parking lot is located in the Village of Chinon near the river. There are parking lots alongside the river, but they are all Payant types and seem to be always full. Here is a link to a Google Map displaying parking available near the fortress.
• Tickets: Château de Chinon entrance tickets are available here. They accept credit cards or cash. Adults prices currently 10.50 Euros and children are 8.50 euros.
• Operating Hours: Currently 9:30AM to 6PM, 7 days per week.
• Nearby Restaurants: Numerous restaurants, boulangeries, etc, can be found in the Village of Chinon. The area on the Place du Général de Gaulle contains a small number of eateries. Here is a link to a Google Search Results page for restaurants near Château de Chinon.
• Nearby Accommodations: Here is a link to a Google Search Results page for accommodations near Château de Chinon.

• Wikipedia Article: Click here to view the Château de Chinon Wikipedia Article.
• Our Image Gallery: Click here to view our Château de Chinon Image Gallery.
• Google Image Gallery: Click here to view the Google Images set for Château de Chinon.
• Château de Chinon Website: Click here to visit their Website.
• Château de Chinon Map: Click here to a Google Map.

The following list contains links to all of our other French Destinations, click any blue colored link to go to that page.