Chinon
view of Chinon from the chateau
The small town of Chinon boasts a heritage that many a larger city might envy. The chateau, which we will be visiting, was the seat of Plantagenet (English) power in France. It was from here that Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine ruled Touraine; and here that Richard the Lionhearted died from wounds received at Chalus. You will of course remember that we saw the effigies of all three when we visited Fontevraud abbey earlier this year. As an interesting footnote, the film, The Lion in Winter which is based on the lives of Henry and Eleanor, was filmed in the Chateau de Chinon. Unfortunately, there are few traces of this period remaining in the present chateau, most notably the Fort St Georges and the Tour du Moulin. Under Phillipe Auguste, who reconquered the town in 1205 after a siege lasting a year, the Fort de Coudray (which encloses the Tour du Moulin), the Tour des Chiens and the Tour de Echauguette were constructed. The Tour des Bois dates from the middle of the 13th century. St. Louis, who often stayed here, added the Tour de l'Horloge. The last major changes date from the reign of Charles VII, after which the chateau fell into ruin. In addition, Joan of Arc travelled here to meet and recognize the Dauphin and Jacques de Molay, the last head of the Knights Templar, was imprisoned here before his execution in Paris. Chinon was also the birthplace of the Humanist writer and philospher, François Rabelais. Our visit included a guided tour of La Devinière, Rabelais' childhood home, lunch at La Boule d'Or in the medieval quarter, and time to wander through the chateau.