Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Forteresse Royale de Chinon
Chinon's castle (or fortress) is more ruined and older than the more famous and visited
châteaux of the Loire. It comes without a hint of pleasure palace. While there's not much
left, its rich history and terrific views makes the castle a popular destination for historians
and French tourists.
Cost and Hours:
€7.50, daily March-Oct 9:30-18:00, until 19:00 May-Aug, Nov-
Feb 9:30-17:00, tel. 02 47 93 13 45,
www.forteressechinon.fr
.
Castle Tours:
Your admission includes a fun and informative self-guided tour book-
let that guides youthrough various automated information stations. Free English-language
tours leave daily and can help bring the ruins to life. It's worth planning your visit around
them (45 minutes, generally at 11:00, 14:00, and 16:00 or 17:00 from March-Oct).
Getting There:
It's a bracing walk up from town, or you can take the free “panor-
amic” elevator from behind the TI (and still climb 5 minutes). There's a free parking lot
100 yards above the castle entry.
Background:
England's King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, who ruled a vast
realmfromScotlandtotheSpanishborder,reignedfromherearound1150.Theyhadeight
children (among them two future kings, including Richard the Lionheart). And it was in
this castle that Joan of Arc pleaded with Charles VII to muster the courage to rally the
