Chinon

Chinon is on the left bank of the Loire River where it meets the Vienne River in the heart of the Loire Valley.

The town is indelibly linked to two famous historical figures - the author Francois Rabelais, born in Chinon around 1490, and Joan of Arc, who came to Chinon Castle in 1429 to inspire the weak-willed dauphin, Charles VII to put on the French crown and drive out the English.

Rabelais, the celebrated sixteenth century satirist and humorist, was an ardent admirer of Chinon wines and coined the phrase “taffeta wines” meaning soft and smooth. Rabelais was the quintessential Renaissance man; at one time a monk, doctor, philosopher, and in between found time to author the masterpiece Gargantua.

Chinon once was the residence of the King of England, Henry II Plantagenet, when the central region of France fell under English rule.

Chinon is a jolly and beautiful place looked over by a crumbling yet majestic medieval chateau. It is a significant tourist town though it only boasts 6000 full time residents.  The town is dominated by the ruins of its huge medieval castle which is visible on the ridge from most parts of the town.

Chinon is a lovely part of the Loire valley, both for its own history (lots of Joan of Arc) and for its well earned reputation as chateau and wine touring heartland. The centre of Chinon is very charming.  There is a nice café at the Place Mirabeau, near the Place Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) which boasts a statue of Joan of Arc on a horse.

Chinon is well known for its well-structured red and white wines and features many celebrated wineries.

Today Chinon is the second largest manufacturer of floppy disk drives in the world is reinventing itself again as a modern digital camera maker.