What to See & Do
Chinon Overall Appeal ★★☆☆☆
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Chinon Fortress | ★★★☆☆ | Fortress + Panorama | Self | Paid |
| 02 | Town Center | ★★☆☆☆ | Walking Around | Self | Free |
| 03 | Chinon Market | ★☆☆☆☆ | Food market | Self | Free |
| 04 | Viewpoint | ★☆☆☆☆ | Panorama | Self | Free |
| 05 | St. Etienne Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 06 | St. Mexme Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 07 | St. Radegonde Chapel | ★☆☆☆☆ | Chapel + Panorama | Self | Free |
| 08 | Carroi Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Art & History | Self | Paid |
| 09 | CHIMOMU | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Motorbike | Self | Paid |
| 10 | Mattrait Walkway | ★☆☆☆☆ | Park | Self | Free |
01. Chinon Fortress
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Fortress + Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Chinon Fortress is a medieval stronghold, a complex boasting impressive walls and towers, reflecting its strategic importance during the Middle Ages. Visitors can explore the towers, ramparts, and royal lodgings.
The clock tower offers a panoramic view of the town and the Vienne River.
02. Town Center
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
Cost Free
Chinon’s town center is a charming blend of narrow cobblestone streets, ancient stone houses, local shops, and restaurants.
03. Chinon Market
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Food Market
Visit Self
Cost Free
Chinon’s food market takes place between the small squares of Place Mirabeau and Place Jeanne d’Arc on Thursday mornings. In summer, it continues on Thursday afternoons as well.
04. Viewpoint
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Free
This viewpoint, located on the other side of the Vienne River, offers a panorama of the Chinon fortress, the bridge, and the river.
05. St. Etienne Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
An initial church dating from the 11th century was rebuilt in the 15th century in a Gothic style, resulting in the current structure.
06. St. Mexme Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
The main church until the French Revolution, this Romanesque-style church dates back to the 10th century.
It also occasionally hosts exhibitions.
07. St. Radegonde Chapel
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Chapel + Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Free
An ancient pagan worship site carved into the rock, the troglodyte chapel was developed in the Middle Ages.
Situated at a height, it offers a panorama of the rooftops of the town below.
08. Carroi Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Art & History Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Carroi Museum showcases Chinon’s history through an extensive collection of artifacts, artworks, and archaeological finds. Housed in a historic building, the museum covers various periods from prehistoric times to the Renaissance.
09. CHIMOMU
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Motorbike Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
CHIMOMU, short for CHInon MOto MUseum, is a collection of motorbikes primarily from the 1960s to the 1990s, with a special focus on Japanese models.
10. Mattrait Walkway
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Park
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Mattrait Walkway is a path that winds along the Vienne River.
