Spend a full day in Chinon renowned for its wonderful ruined mediaeval chateau perched above the river Vienne. Henry II (Plantagenet), spent much time in Chinon and died here in 1183. There are superb views from the Tour de Boissy and on a hot summer's day enjoy a stroll through the coo, cobbled streets of the old town.

Chateau de Chinon is the place where Joan of Arc first spotted the dethroned Charles VII in disguise and persuaded him to lend her an army to drive the English out of France.  Today, the almost ruined fortress lies perched above the town overlooking the river Vienne. 

Chinon's medieval town centre is so perfect that you feel like you have stepped back in time.  Rue Voltaire is where you'll find 15th to 16th century houses including the Musee Anime du Vin which explores the history of wine making.  Note the houses made of the distinctive white tufa stone contrasting sharply with the more common half-timbered houses.

Chinon is, of course, a perfect base for exploring some of the Loire's best loved chateau such as Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau and Langeais.  It also appeals to walkers and cyclists who are spoiled with the spectacular surrounds of the Foret de Chinon.

What To See in Chinon

Château de Chinon Chinon, 37500, a huge medieval fortress once favoured by the Plantagenet Kings, Admission Charge Open:Mar - Oct: daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 93 13 45

Musee anime du Vin 12 rue Voltaire, Chinon, 37500, an interesting insight into how wine and wine barrels are made including tasting of course!, Admission Charge Open:Easter - Sep: daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 93 25 63

 
Fine wine and sumptuous chateaux sum up the department of Indre-et-Loire.
Built by kings from the 15th to the 18th centuries the chateaux were designed for feasting and lavish balls.
The tour of the chateaux complete, take the time to discover the gardens at Villandry or the lively city of Tours where the purest French is supposedly spoken!
Wine tasting is also a must with Vouvray & Montlouis vineyards easily accessible to the east of Tours. Here you'll see wine stored in cellars that have been carved out of the white tufa cliffs.

Tours (City of)

Tours is one of the most appealing cities of the Loire and supposedly where the purest French in spoken. Plenty to do - take your pick from the numerous museums of wine, fine arts and crafts. It has a cosmopolitan, prosperous feel to it with wide boulevards, public gardens, a well restored historic centre and a thriving student population.

Place Plumereau is in the heart of the medieval centre and one of the city's most interesting areas.  Here you'll find cafés, chic boutiques, museums and art galleries.  Half timbered houses and courtyards are found just a step away in Rue Briconnet with Gallo-Roman remains and a Romanesque church in Place St- Pierre-le-Puellier. 

There are many reasons to visit Tours including the opportunity to sample some of the crisp white Vouvray and Montlouis wines and explore the region's castles such as Chenonceau, Langeais and Villandry!

What else To See in Tours:

Basilique St-Martin rue Descartes, Tours, 37000, Tour's glitzy pseudo-Byzantine church, Open:Daily
Hotel Gouin 25 rue du Commerce, Tours, 37000, Tour's history & archaeological musuem housed in the Renaissance home of a former silk merchant, Admission Charge Open:Daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 66 22 32
Musee des Vins de Touraine 16 rue Nationale, Tours, 37000, visit the 13th century wine cellars of Abbaye St-Julien, Admission Charge Open:Mid Jun-Mid Sep: daily; Wed-Mon (Sep-Jun) Tel: +33 (0)2 47 61 07 93

Cathedrale St-Gatien Place de la Cathedrale, Tours, 37000, a pastiche of architectural styles make up this spectacular cathedral, Admission Charge Open:Daily

Musee du Compagnonnage 8 rue Nationale, Tours, 37000, a guild museum which displays local crafts including sculpting and horseshoeing, Admission Charge Open:Mid Jun-Mid Sep: daily; Wed-Mon (Sep-Jun) Tel: +33 (0)2 47 61 07 93

Château de Tours 25 quai d'Orleans, Tours, 37000, a tropical aquarium is housed here, Admission Charge Open:Daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 64 29 52

Musee des Beaux Arts 18 Place Francois Sicard, Tours, 37000, is set in an 18th century archbishop's palace with worthy paintings by Mantegna taken from Italy by Napoleon, Admission Charge Open:Wed-Mon Tel: +33 (0)2 47 05 68 73

Hotel Gouin 25 rue du Commerce, Tours, 37000, Tour's history & archaeological musuem housed in the Renaissance home of a former silk merchant, Admission Charge Open:Daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 66 22 32

Days Out in Indre-et-Loire
>> The famous chateaux - the awesome castles of Chenonceau, Villandry and d'Azay-le-Rideau will leave you simply spellbound.
>> Vouvray Vouvray - home to the delicious white wine, for wine tasting. Huet vineyard is often a favourite with its bio-dynamic system for vine growing
>> Chateau de Villandry - visit the spectacular ornamental gardens of this 16th century chateau which from a distance look like a carefully woven tapestry.

 
Château d'Usse Usse, SW of Tours, a romantic, fairy-tale château overlooking the river Indre, Admission Charge Open:Mid Feb - Mid Nov:daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 95 54 05
Château de Langeais Langeais, SW of Tours, a superb château built for defense purposes by Louis XI, Admission Charge Open:Daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 96 72 60
Chateau de Moncontour Route de Moncontour, Vouvray, 37400, monks first inhabited Moncontour in the 4th-century planting vines here. It's now a museum dedicated to wine-making, Admission Charge Open:Daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 52 60 77
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau Azay-le-Rideau, S of Tours, called a "multi-faceted diamond" by Balzac this superb Château is a must on the list of Loire attractions, Admission Charge Open:Apr-Sep: daily; Oct-Mar: Wed-Mon Tel: +33 (0)2 47 45 42 04
Château de Villandry Villandry, SW of Tours, the last great Renaissance Château built in the Loire Valley - a true gem!, Admission Charge Open:Feb-Mid Nov: daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 50 02 09
La Deviniere Seuilly, visit the birthplace of Francois Rabelais the 16th century writer, priest & doctor, Admission Charge Open:Daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 95 91 18
Château de Chaumont Chaumont, a feudal château with superb views over the river Loire, Admission Charge Open:Daily Tel: +33 (0)2 54 51 26 26
Loches S of Amboise on river Indre, 37400, a medieval village with cobbled streets and feudal chateau, Admission Charge
Caveau des Vignerons d'Amboise inside chateau walls opp 42 place Michel Debre, Amboise, 37400, an opportunity to taste red, white & rose wine plus Touraine Cremant de Loire (a sparlking wine a lot like Champagne), Admission Charge Open:Daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 57 23 69
Chateau d'Amboise Place Michel Debre, Amboise, 37400, the much loved chateau of Charles VIII who extended it in 1492 to fall in line with Italian style & luxury, Admission Charge Open:Daily Tel: +33 (0)2 47 57 00 98