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Chinon Fortress

Chinon Fortress

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Chinon Fortress

Recommended by 180 cyclists out of 183

This Highlight is in a protected area

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Parc naturel régional Loire-Anjou-Touraine

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Location: Centre-Val de Loire, France

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Top cycling routes to Chinon Fortress

4.2

(5)

riders

1. From Chinon to the Loire — loop via Avoine in the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park

34.2km

02:02

170m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.7

(20)

185

riders

2. View of Ussé Castle – View of Ussé castle loop from Les Plaines des Vaux

55.5km

03:17

320m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.4

(25)

177

riders

3. View of Ussé Castle – Chinon Fortress loop from Rivarennes

43.4km

02:47

270m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

June 26, 2025

History in brief
Antiquity: the site is strategically located on a promontory and has been inhabited for 3,000 years. It was not fortified until the end of the Roman Empire.
Middle Ages: in 1154, the new King of England, Henry II Plantagenet, became ruler of an empire stretching from Scotland to the Pyrenees and made Chinon his continental capital. He had a large palace built next to the fortress, which has now disappeared. In 1189, abandoned by his sons, Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland, and fleeing from the King of France, he eventually died there. Philippe Auguste had the defensive Tour du Coudray built there after the siege of 1205.
Renaissance: in 1454, the fortress became the main residence of Queen Marie d'Anjou, who lived there without her husband. She spent lavishly on decorating the house to her taste. From the 16th century onwards, the fortress was gradually abandoned and fell into disrepair. Despite the dangerous nature of the terrain, it became a public promenade in 1824 and was listed as a monument in 1840. The restoration of the estate began in 1854 thanks to the efforts of the writer Prosper Mérimée.

Source: loirelovers.fr/en/visit-royal-fort-chinon

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Pierre Potonnier

August 23, 2020

Chateau visitable, beautiful view at the top of Chinon. A piece of the history of Jeanne d'Arc. Access by lift or steep streets.

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Lauren

July 2, 2024

The road out of Chinon towards the Loire, to get back on the Eurovelo 6 (towards Tours) had huge hills beyond my skill set with a lot added bike. Check elevations. I ended up catching a train two stops.

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Informations

Elevation 10 m

Weather

Thursday 11 December

14°C

7°C

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Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

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See rides here

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Location: Centre-Val de Loire, France

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Chinon Fortress

1. From Chinon to the Loire — loop via Avoine in the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park

2. View of Ussé Castle – View of Ussé castle loop from Les Plaines des Vaux

3. View of Ussé Castle – Chinon Fortress loop from Rivarennes

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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