Free walking tours in Chinon and what to see

Must-sees

Chinon sits on the banks of the Vienne, in Touraine, a few kilometres from where it joins the Loire. Above the town rises the Royal Fortress, a long walled enclosure on a rocky spur bringing together three castles built between the 12th and 15th centuries. It is linked to Henry II Plantagenet, Richard the Lionheart, the Templars and Joan of Arc, who came here to meet the future Charles VII. The restored Logis Royaux and an augmented reality tablet help you imagine what it was like.

Below, the old town holds the Ville d’Art et d’Histoire label and keeps half-timbered houses, Gothic façades and courtyards. Worth a stop are the collegiate church of Saint-Mexme, the church of Saint-Maurice and the chapel of Sainte-Radegonde, partly carved into the rock, with views over the rooftops. Beneath the fortress, the Caves Painctes are old quarries turned wine cellar that inspired Rabelais, born at La Devinière, near the town. Chinon wine is mostly red, made from Cabernet Franc.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Chinon. On Civitatis you will find tickets for the Royal Fortress and a private sidecar tour of the town and its surroundings. As a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, the town offers guided tours of the old town, and the Caves Painctes are visited with a guide. Many local wineries also open for visits and tastings.

How long to spend

Allow about two hours for the fortress, and another two or three for the old town and the chapel of Sainte-Radegonde. In a day you can see everything without rushing. With two or three you can add a winery, a canoe or boat trip on the Vienne and nearby outings such as La Devinière, Fontevraud Abbey or the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau.

Where to stay

The most convenient place to stay is the old town or the Vienne quays, at the foot of the fortress, with small hotels and guesthouses. That way you can walk everywhere and see the town lit up at night. In the surrounding wine villages there are plenty of rooms on estates and country cottages, a quiet option if you are driving.