Château de Chinon

The Château de Chinon, with its close ties to the history of France, was built by the Count of Blois on a steep plateau, for the first time in stone in 954. It was then taken by the rival Count of Anjou in 1044.  Its history is so interesting and so inclusive of important players in France and England's history, that one cannot begin to describe it here in detail.

These are the vineyard views seen from the entrance gate, looking north from the Château.

 



Over the years, new sections kept getting built: the castles of Milieu and of Coudray, an internal chapel, the mill tower and the numerous reinforcement towers such as the Guards and the Dogs.

 

I am standing with the Clock Tower in the background.  There is a huge moat which separates the western and the central blocks.

The Château on the plateau overlooks the town of Chinon.



 

 

The cylindrical tower, known as the English Archers Tower.

 




An impressive view with the Vienne River running through Chinon.

The dauphin Charles made Chinon his residence.  Excluded by the English, he became the "King of Bourges" and received Joan of Arc here in 1429.  

 

 

 This is the Clock Tower.

 

Karl walking the ramparts around the Clock Tower

 

 

 

The castle also included prisons where the Knights Templar, whose order had fallen in disgrace, were imprisoned in 1308. 

 

 

Karl didn't accidentally take a picture of a grill and his toes.  This is where hot oil was thrown down on enemies.

 

Many assistants give out information and create scenes with guests, using chain maille, helmets, and weapons.

 

If you look carefully, these four helmets are all different and were used by different troops in battle.  It also depended on how much funding there was for the soldiers.

 

These are versions of the earliest known canons in Europe.

There is a trap door in front of the canon which is lowered open when the canon is fired, and raised closed when the canon is being reloaded.  In actual battle, the roof would be hidden with dirt for extra protection from flaming arrows.

 

A giant English Crossbow commonly known as a Ballista.

 

Do you think this poor soldier ran out of money?  Hence why he has no armour...

 

The weapons on the left are what a knight would use to fight in a hand to hand battle. (Yes, knights in full armour are usually on horseback so this scene is a bit deceptive.)

 

The weapons on the right are those with which other soldiers would be attacking the knight.  They're called Halberts (or Halberds), primarily used to pierce or crush helmets.

 

 

The Château in later years belonged to Cardinal Richelieu, who left the stronghold to his descendants. 

 

Neglect then led to the collapse of the roofs and pavements, while various towers fell into ruin.  The stones were sold as building material.  After having risked total demolishment in 1854, the Château has been patiently restored.  It is still ongoing.

 

 

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After an exhaustive visit, a lunch was needed at the Café des Arts in Chinon's main square.  It was a Mamma Mia salad (Italian crostini spread with pesto and topped with prosciutto), veal stew on pasta, and for dessert a soft white cheese topped with berries.

 

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On our way home, we saw this beautiful dragon work of art in Bournand.

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"The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating.  The paths are not to be found, but made.  And the activity of making them changes both the maker and their destination."

~  John Schaar