How to Spend a Perfect Day in Chinon with Itinerary Map

Chinon Castle

Chinon

Check Point
・Castles that appeared in the history of Joan of Arc

・Long and narrow castle gate

・Wine production area

【City description】

It’s the town that Joan of Arc had an audience with Charles VII in the castle. The city is the banks of the Vienne river and we can look it from the castle on the hill. In addition, the wine is a famous production and we can find a wine field from the castle. We present a route map that you visit the castle at first and go to the town.

【Overall rating】

 ★★★★☆

【Time required】

 5 h 30

【Budget】

 19.50 euros

【Fatigue】

 ★★★☆☆



Itinerary Map

Navigation

【Start】
①Chinon Station

★Go to Dr Pierre Labussière Avenue for 10 minutes as far as Jeanne d’Arc Square.

②Statue of Joan of Arc

★Go straight on Jeanne d’Arc St and turn right at a small roundabout. It takes 15 minutes.

③Tourist Information Center

★Go to Général de Gaulle Square and go through under a small tunnel to go to a parking.

④⑤Elevator

★Turn left and go straight on the street for 5 minutes.

⑥Royal Fortress of Chinon

★Return to Général de Gaulle Square with the elevator. Turn right to go to Voltaire St and turn immediately. It takes 15 minutes.

⑦Wine and Cooperage Museum

★Continue to walk on Voltaire St.

⑧Art and History Museum

★Continue to walk on the street for 5 minutes.

⑨Saint Maurice Church

★When you leave the church, turn left. Then, turn left at the dead end and go to Charles VII St beside the river. When you arrive at a bridge, pass it. It takes 15 minutes.

⑩View Point

★Pass the bridge again and turn right. As you come back to the street where you have already walked, return to the station with same route. It takes 25 minutes.

【Goal】
Chinon Station


Downtown Map


Click the square mark on the top left of the map to see a list of tourist spots. If you open the enlarge button on the top right corner on your smartphone, this model course will be displayed on Google Maps along with its location information. You can also quickly return to this map from the table of contents in the sidebar (if using a smartphone, select “Go to table of contents” from the menu at the bottom of the screen).


【Start】

①Chinon Station

Gare de Chinon

★Go to Dr Pierre Labussière Avenue for 10 minutes as far as Jeanne d’Arc Square.


②Statue of Joan of Arc

Statue of Joan of Arc

Statue de Jeanne d’Arc

Time required: 5 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

This bronze statue is located in the center of Place Joan of Arc, which is also used as a parking lot. It was built as a symbol of the people who once visited and stayed in this town.


★Go straight on Jeanne d’Arc St and turn right at a small roundabout. It takes 15 minutes.


③Tourist Information Center

Time required: 5 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

Get information such as maps here.


★Go to Général de Gaulle Square and go through under a small tunnel to go to a parking.


④⑤Elevator

Time required: 5 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

Take the elevator at ④ and go to the top of the hill at ⑤.


★Turn left and go straight on the street for 5 minutes.


⑥Royal Fortress of Chinon

Royal Fortress of Chinon

Forteresse Royale de Chinon

Time required: 90 min

Admission fee: 10.50 euros

Opening hour: 9 h 30 am – 6 pm
(until 7 pm between May and August)
(until 5 pm between November and February)

Close: 1/1, 12/25

The castle is emblematic of the clock tower that stands like a huge wall on top of the bridge. There is an anecdote that Joan of Arc ignored the fake Charles VII and headed towards the real king in disguise. During the castle era, most of the castle was destroyed and only a part of it can be seen inside. Inside the building, you can see the history introduced above and materials related to Joan of Arc. The grounds are also where Joan of Arc stayed. You can also go up to the clock tower, but you will be surprised at how narrow it is.


★Return to Général de Gaulle Square with the elevator. Turn right to go to Voltaire St and turn immediately. It takes 15 minutes.


⑦Wine and Cooperage Museum

Musée du Vin et de la Tonnellerie

Time required: 60 min

Admission fee: 5 euros

Opening hour: 10 am – 6 pm
(11 am – 5 pm on weekend, reservation required)

Close: between October and March

This museum and restaurant is run by five generations of wine farmers. You can see the wine making process through materials, and at the end of the tour you can sample the wine. You can also enjoy meals at the restaurant.


★Continue to walk on Voltaire St.


⑧Art and History Museum

Art and History Museum

Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Le Carroi

Time required: 40 min

Admission fee: 4 euros

Opening hour: 2 h 30 pm – 6 pm
(open 10 am – 1 pm in July and August)

Close: Tuesday

This museum in the old town mainly exhibits sculptures from the 15th to 19th centuries. Special exhibitions are also held regularly in two rooms.


★Continue to walk on the street for 5 minutes.


⑨Saint Maurice Church

Saint Maurice Church

Église Saint Maurice

Time required: 15 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

Opening hour: 11 am – 5 h 30 pm

Close: No

This church is located in the old town and was built between the 12th and 16th centuries. It is influenced by the Renaissance and features a bell tower with a peaked roof. The interior also has a mosaic-like emblem painted on the floor, so it’s nice to take a closer look at it as you walk around.


★When you leave the church, turn left. Then, turn left at the dead end and go to Charles VII St beside the river. When you arrive at a bridge, pass it. It takes 15 minutes.


⑩View Point

Landscape from river

Time required: 10 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

From here you can get a good view of Chinon Castle and its castle town.


★Pass the bridge again and turn right. As you come back to the street where you have already walked, return to the station with same route. It takes 25 minutes.



【Goal】

Chinon Station



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