Between Tours and Saumur, let's explore Chinon in Indre-et-Loire. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town enjoys an ideal location at the heart of the Loire Valley. The character of this ancient medieval town is alive and well in its old town and its castle. Strolling through the narrow streets of Chinon is like taking a trip back in time with its pretty half-timbered houses and old dwellings. Among them are the Red House (Maison Rouge), one of the oldest in the city, the former Bailiwick's Palace and the Hôtel des Etats Généraux, a mansion now housing the Museum of Old Chinon. Then take the little sloping path to the castle, a genuine royal fortress that still has its vast defensive walls.
As well as offering a lovely view of the town and the surrounding area, the castle is worth a closer look to learn about its history. For example, it was there that Charles VII met Joan of Arc in 1429 before she liberated Orleans. Chinon also has beautiful religious buildings such as the Chapel of St. Radegund. Built in a Romanesque, semi-troglodyte style, its mural paintings from the end of the 12th century depict the Plantagenets. To find out more about local art history, Le Carroi Arts and History Museum invites you to discover a rich collection, the centrepiece of which is the Cope of St. Mexme, a cloth woven from silk and gold in the 12th century.
And how could we talk about Chinon without mentioning its vineyards? Spanning 2,300 hectares, their varieties of red grape, like the renowned Cabernet Sauvignon, and their rosé grapes delight the palates of amateur oenologists. Several cellars in the area are open to the public if you would like to sample the region's finest wines.
