Forteresse Royale de Chinon

Probably one of the best castle visits in the area, especially if you're into medieval history. Lots of castles to visit in the Loire but this one is value for money and also a great experience. Tablet is supplied for virtual reality like historic views, maps and more. Cafee was closed but probably because we're going into low season. Town of Chinon is also very worth while. We chose it as our base for a week in this region.

Really fabulous castle, lots of trails to do for children of all ages and you're given a tablet to scan key places around to get full history. Only downside was some display boards only had French and a QR code English, which didn't work. (some had English and French printed, which would be good to have everywhere as the QR codes didn't work)

Fantastic Fort with a fascinating history revolving around the 100 year war and the English occupation of this part of France. There were displays of replica trebuchet and sling shot both shot a ball towards a wooden target. Good info boards and plenty to see. Bring a picnic and make a day of it.

An extremely interesting and important historical place with not really lot of exhibition and things to see inside. Beautiful view outside, several historical buildings, lovely flowers outside. Anyway, don't miss it. Richard the Lionheart also lived there.

Very interesting castle. They have a clever tour/ interactive tablet that takes you through the history. Would benefit from a cafe. You end up going up and down a lot of towers, so there are a lot of steps.

This was one of the best places we went during our week around the Loire valley watching castles and so. From the beginning the place felt like interesting because of the lady at the reception explaining things, giving us a histopad which would allow us at certain points get a kind of video of how things might have been, I think in the fourteenth century (?) and provides you information, if you want to by clicking on the images. And it also had a treasure hunt integrated, which not only the kids had fun with! The fortress was big and is now mainly a ruin. But the place has been made/ kept in a way that you still can imagine the shape and grandness. The panorama from the towers, walls..is great. At several spots you can go with steps down inside the fortress and also walk through rooms. There is also in the middle a lot of grass with trees allowing for shadow and chairs are placed. A very nice outside kind if bar is available with also here very nice staff. The atmosphere in this place was so great and the staff as well.

It was a very interesting castle/fortress to visit, and the views were spectacular. It’s got some significant stairs, but if you’re able to get to the top of the tower, the view is worth it. We came on a Sunday so it was quiet. I loved learning about the history and how people used to live. I enjoyed the interactive tablet that accompanied the self guided tour

Good time out, recommend coming here on a sunny day. Takes a good couple of hours to walk around. Not a big fan of the tablet tours, prefer signs and displays (I may be old fashioned)

This fortress/chateau is really a must-see if you're anywhere remotely close to the area. This fortress sits there on the hill behind the village, towering above it. It makes a really impressive sight from the other side of the river. The history is a colorful one: Count of Blois built the earliest known castle on the mount of Chinon in the 10th century, but there have been settlements on this hills since 3000 years! By 1205, Chinon was one of the last castles in the Loire Valley. It fell to French forces in the Easter of 1205 after a siege of several months.On 6 March 1429 Joan of Arc arrived at Château de Chinon. In 1454 French Queen Marie D'Anjou made the fortress her main residence. Later on Cardinal Richelieu was given the castle to prevent it from coming under the control of unfriendly forces, though he allowed it to fall into ruin. Since 1840, the castle has been recognised as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture. Between 2003 and 2010 the castle was the subject of a massive excavation and restoration project, costing 14.5 million euros. Now it sits there in all its glory. Many rooms can be explored, many towers and walls. There's a huge amount of sights and information to take in here. As well as wonderful valley views. Picnic spots, a restaurant, toilets and of course a souvenir shop. Dogs are welcome as well, our Bulldog had a good time here. With the entrance fee comes a tablet with a self-guided virtual tour, very very well done this! There are guided tours as well, but for us the self-guided tour was really good enough. It is really an impressive fortress/chateau. And there were surprisingly few visitors for this kind of sight on the summer weekday. It might be different on a weekend. Entrance fee is very fair, staff very friendly. A really great place that you shouldn't miss.