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France

Centre-Val de Loire

Royal Fortress of Chinon

Discover

Places to see

Castles

France

Centre-Val de Loire

Royal Fortress of Chinon

Recommended by 63 cyclists out of 68

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Location: Centre-Val de Loire, France

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Top cycling routes to Royal Fortress of Chinon

4.7

(35)

177

riders

1. View of Château de Chinon – Château de Chinon loop from La Coupure du Parc

50.7km

02:55

160m

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

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Intermediate

4.6

(26)

129

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2. Vue sur le château d'Ussé – Forteresse de Chinon loop from Savigny-en-Véron

48.7km

02:56

210m

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

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Intermediate

4.5

(13)

146

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3. View of Ussé castle – Forteresse de Chinon loop from Rivarennes

44.0km

02:52

310m

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

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Intermediate

Tips

Vincent Reboul

November 12, 2021

The Château de Chinon is of great importance in the history of France. It is in this place that Joan of Arc first meets the Dauphin (name given to the one who is not yet king) future King of France Charles VII from whom she asks for an army. Chinon is also the city of the author François Rabelais French humanist writer of the Renaissance, born at La Devinière in Seuilly, near Chinon (in the former province of Touraine), in 1483 or 1494 according to the sources, and died in Paris on April 9, 1553. He is the author among others of Pantagruel, it is to say if one eats and drinks well there! Chinon wine is one of the strongest in the Loire, which has a reputation in general for being fairly light wines. The city center is most pleasant. To visit the castle, consult the following website: forteressechinon.fr/fr

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🇧🇪 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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Philip

October 4, 2017

The castle is actually a castle, but is counted among the castles on the Loire. Located on a rock, there are some great castle bridges to admire. There are various exhibitions in the castle and an escape game makes tricky tasks for you.

Opening hours:

The castle has every day, except on 1.1. and on 25.12. open.

January, February, November and December 9.30am to 5pm.

March, April, September and October 9.30am to 6pm.

May to August 9.30am to 7pm.

The inlet closes half an hour in advance.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 70 m

Alerts

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parc naturel régional Loire-Anjou-Touraine

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Thursday 18 September

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Location: Centre-Val de Loire, France

Royal Fortress of Chinon

1. View of Château de Chinon – Château de Chinon loop from La Coupure du Parc

2. Vue sur le château d'Ussé – Forteresse de Chinon loop from Savigny-en-Véron

3. View of Ussé castle – Forteresse de Chinon loop from Rivarennes

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