Discover Chinon
Lying at the foot of the fortress, surrounded by the Vienne, the city of Chinon has always welcomed notable figures. Aliénor and Henri II of Plantagenêt, in the 12th century, made the expanded and redesigned fortress as one of the seats of their power, from Scotland to the Pyrenees.
In the 15th century, in the middle of the Hundred Years War, Chinon was one of the privileged refuges of King Charles VII: it was there that Jeanne d’Arc came to meet him for the first time in 1429.
The city and its surroundings are also the birthplace of François Rabelais and the setting where the adventures of his characters, Pantagruel and Gargantua, take place.
Today, the city of Chinon has known how to preserve heritage treasures from all eras of its history, to be discovered along the streets while taking advantage of various shops: you will have the opportunity to make many stops to discover the creative craftsmen, enjoy a glass of wine or savour some culinary specialties...
Secret of the "Ville-Fort"
A tour guide shares his passion and knowledge about the medieval city at the foot of the Fortress. The route leads you along the alleys, from the residences of the time of Charles VII to the Saint-Maurice church, open especially for the occasion. Push doors, discover secret passages and learn everything about Chinon from the Middle Ages to the present day!
Schedule 2022
Guided tour for individuals:
April 16 to June 3, 2022: on Saturdays at 3:30pm
July 1 to August 31, 2022: on Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30pm
September 1 to September 16, 2022: on Saturdays at 3:30pm
Rates: Adult: 5 €, Reduced rate: 3 €, free for children under 18
Duration of the visit: 1h30
Ticket office: At the Chinon reception desk
Guided tour for groups:
All year round upon reservation at the Chinon reception desk
Rate:
Package of 20 people: 90 € then 4,50 € per additional person from the 21st
Duration of the visit: 1h30
Contact: tourisme.chinon@gmail.com - 02 47 93 17 85
The Sainte-Radegonde chapel
Romanesque semi-troglodytic chapel arranged around the tomb of a hermit from the High Middle Ages (6th century). You will discover a well dug in the rock and a wall painting of the late 12th representing the Plantagenet.
Opening 2022
Visit for individuals:
April 16 to June 30, 2022: Open on weekends and holidays from 3pm to 6pm
July 1 to August 31, 2022: Open every day from 10am to 1pm/ 3pm to 6pm
September 1 to September 18, 2022: Open on weekends and holidays from 3pm to 6pm
Price: Free
Guided tour for groups:
All year round upon reservation at the Chinon reception desk
Duration of the visit: 1h
Rate:
Package of 20 people: 70 € then 3,50 € per additional person from the 21st
Contact: tourisme.chinon@gmail.com - 02 47 93 17 85
Former Saint-Mexme collegiate church
It was the main religious building of Chinon until the disappearance of the choir during a collapse at the beginning of the 19th century.
Today it is a cultural centre: the nave of the year 1000 accepts a small wooden theatre used for many summer shows; the western massif, rich of contemporary stained-glass windows in 2006 according to Olivier Debré, regularly has some exhibitions.
Opening 2022
Visit for individuals:
May 25 to June 30, 2022: Open on weekends and holidays from 3pm to 6pm
July 1 to August 31, 2022: Open every day from 10am to 1pm/ 3pm to 6pm
September 1 to September 18, 2022: Open on weekends and holidays from 3pm to 6pm
Price: Free
Guided tour for groups:
All year round upon reservation at the Chinon reception desk
Duration of the visit: 1h
Rate:
Package of 20 people: 70 € then 3,50 € per additional person from the 21st
Contact: tourisme.chinon@gmail.com - 02 47 93 17 85
