Chinon Castle

Chinon Castle mini guide

Guide point	Details
Department:	Central France > Loire Valley > Indre-et-Loire >
Location:	Chinon (1km), Tours (6km) A 85, exit no 9 Chinon then D751
Address::	Forteresse Royale de Chinon, Avenue François Mitterrand, 37500, Chinon
Switch board number:	+33 (0)2 47 93 13 45
Email address:	chateauchinon@cg37.fr
Visit owner's personal website:	http://www.forteresse-chinon.fr/
Quick links to accommodation:	Accommodation near Chinon Castle - Hotels in Chinon Castle Show accommodation in Indre-et-Loire - Self catering in Indre-et-Loire - Bed and Breakfast in Indre-et-Loire properties with pools in Indre-et-Loire -

The mount of Chinon was fortified as a stronghold by Theobald I, Count of Blois in the year 954. In the 12th century Chinon, located in the then Kingdom of Anjou, which was at the time independent of the kingdom of France, was a primary residence of Henry II (Angevin King and King of England) and served with Poitiers and Bordeaux as a key southern capital of the vast Angevin holdings.

Henry was responsible for construction of almost all of the massive chateau, built over 1,300 feet long and 250 feet wide with a clock tower (14th century) rising 115 feet high. King Henry died in Chinon castle after being defeated by his sons Richard and John in a rebellion aided by Phillip Augustus of France; he, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their son King Richard the Lionheart were all buried at nearby Fontevraud Abbey.

Today the castle is managed by the Town of Chinon and is a major tourist attraction.