- Type
- Castle
- Location
- Centre-Val de Loire, France
- Coordinates
- 47.1681°, 0.2361°
History
A stronghold of the counts of Blois rose on the hill above the Vienne in the 10th century and later passed to the counts of Anjou. Henry II Plantagenet, King of England, enlarged it into one of his favourite residences and died here in 1189. In 1205 the castle was taken by Philip Augustus. In 1308 the leaders of the Templars, including Grand Master Jacques de Molay, were held prisoner here, and in March 1429 the castle received Joan of Arc, who persuaded the Dauphin Charles to fight for his crown. Once the court left Chinon the castle declined, and Cardinal Richelieu, a later owner, let it decay. It now belongs to the Indre-et-Loire department.
What to see
The fortress stretches over 400 metres along the ridge and consists of three parts separated by dry moats: Fort Saint-Georges, the Middle Castle and Fort du Coudray. You pass through the Clock Tower, tour the rebuilt royal apartments with displays on the Plantagenets and Joan of Arc, and look into the Coudray keep. The walls offer views over the Vienne and the slate roofs of old Chinon.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q912447
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