Chinon Fortress: more visitors today than Joan of Arc soldiers yesterday
The fortress of Chinon, and the city that lives at its foot, prides itself on attracting a large number of visitors. For example, in 2017, 130,000 people made it the most visited monument in Indre-et-Loire. An army that would have made Joan of Arc dream!
It must be said that it is a Mecca of the Hundred Years' War, whose life-size war machines can be seen in the park.
A high place? Obviously, since it was in the royal dwellings, where the apartments of Charles VII and his wife Mary of Anjou were located, that Joan of Arc met the king in 1429. Even today, the road, very straight, which leads towards the city, is lined with large plane trees on both sides, and one cannot help but imagine Joan of Arc in armour, on her powerful horse, followed by her iron knights, banners in the wind, approaching at the step towards the goal of her journey...
It seems that, wanting to test the damsel, the king disguised himself as some character from his court, and mingled with the audience, putting someone else in his place. Which would not have deceived a second Joan of Arc, heading straight for him..." Sweet sire..."
Why should the Chinon fortress be invisible? Because, placed at the top of its hillside, you can only see it from below, and you can only see the walls, without being able to imagine that there is a whole castle behind it.
In the royal dwellings of the Chinon fortress, a very interesting visit itinerary.
In recent years, very important restoration work has been undertaken in the castle and in the royal dwellings. Today, you will find a particularly interesting scenography and museography.
The history of the fortress is recounted in two rooms with models, archaeological collections, etc.
Two other rooms, of course, are dedicated to Joan of Arc.
Finally, another room traces the organization of Charles VII's army.
You can also find yourself in the intimacy of Charles VII with the furnished reconstruction of his two bedrooms.
The City of Chinon
The City of Chinon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers you beautiful medieval streets dotted with welcoming restaurants, under the kind eye of Rabelais himself.
Don't miss the vast walk under the trees along the Vienne river... On the third Sunday of each month, a very pleasant and interesting flea market is organised.
To visit other nearby castles, see this article: Cinq-Mars-La-Pile, a small town, a pile, a castle and legends
Azay-Chinon Val de Loire Tourist Office
Chinon Reception Office
1, rue Rabelais
37501 Chinon
Phone : 02 47 93 17 85
tourisme@azay-chinon-valdeloire.com
www.azay-chinon-valdeloire.com
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