How to Spend a Perfect Day in Chinon with Itinerary Map

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】

　5h30

【Budget】

　21 euros

【Fatigue】

　★★★☆☆

【Map and access to the Loire region】

①Orléans: The town where Joan of Arc was active
②Chambord: The largest castle in the Loire
③Blois: A rare castle that incorporates various architectural styles
④Beauregard: A castle with portraits and lapis lazuli
⑤Cheverny: A homely castle
⑥Chaumont-sur-Loire: A castle that hosts the International Garden Festival
⑦Amboise: The town where Da Vinci spent his later years
⑧Chenonceau: A castle run by a female lord that spans the river
⑨Loches: A town where beautiful women lived
⑩Tours: A base town for travel in this region
⑪Langeais: A town with the oldest remaining fortress in France
⑫Azay-le-Rideau: A beautiful castle that stands out on the water
⑬Chinon: The town of Joan of Arc and wine
⑭Saumur: A castle on a hill and a town of horse riding
⑮Angers: A castle with the world’s largest tapestry
⑯Nantes: A large town with an island of machines

Chinon is about an hour away by train from Tours.

Check here for area information around Chinon ! !

【Contents】

★=Must-see spots
◎=Recommended spots

Contents

Itinerary Map
①Chinon Station
②Statue of Joan of Arc
③Tourist Information Center
④⑤Elevator
⑥Royal Fortress of Chinon★
⑦Wine and Cooperage Museum
⑧Art and History Museum◎
⑨Saint Maurice Church
⑩View Point★
Useful Links for Travel
Other Cities Recommended in Loire

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

How to use Google 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 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★

Forteresse Royale de Chinon

Time required: 90 min

Admission fee: 12.50 euros

Opening hour: 9h30 am – 6 pm
May – August: until 7 pm
November – February: until 5 pm

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: 4.50 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◎

Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Le Carroi

Time required: 40 min

Admission fee: 4 euros

Opening hour: 2 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

Église Saint Maurice

Time required: 15 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

Opening hour: 11 am – 5h30 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★

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

Useful Links for Travel

【Hotel Reservations】

Expedia

There is a lot of great hotel deals listed, and you can read comments from people from all over the world. You can also book these together with your flight.

Hotels.com

There is also a lot of hotel information here. Another great thing is that many of them offer no cancellation fees.

Booking.com

This world-famous hotel booking site has a huge number of listings, so you can find the hotel you like. If you become a member and stay many times, you can get discounts and get even better deals.

【Flight Reservations】

Expedia

It is a world-famous travel site. It is convenient because you can also purchase domestic air tickets.

【Attractions and Tours】

klook

This is a convenient site where you can book tickets and tours to tourist spots around the world. Be sure to check it out as they sometimes offer discounts.

Other Cities Recommended in Loire

Information about Your Best Trip