Chinon (French pronunciation: [ʃinɔ̃] ) is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department, Centre-Val de Loire, France.The traditional province around Chinon, Touraine, became a favorite resort of French kings and their nobles beginning in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The Renaissance châteaux which they built new or erected on the foundations of old fortresses earned this part of the Loire Valley the nickname "The Garden of France." Chinon played an important and strategic role during the Middle Ages, serving both French and English kings.
Chinon is known for its wine, castle, and historic town. Its part of the Loire Valley been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Chinon wines are very tasty and quite well-liked in France. Take advantage of the opportunity to drink some while you're visiting, as you may find some of these wines at a hefty markup when you get home.
It was in Chinon’s remarkable medieval fortress that Joan of Arc recognised a disguised Charles VII as the future king of France. Leaving its walls, the quaysides of the River Vienne lead to the medieval alleyways of Old Chinon, where visitors will be enchanted by the spirit of Rabelais and the renowned local wine.
