Our stop for the night was Chinon, France's capital during the Hundred Years' War and a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2000. Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionhearted and Joan of Arc have all called Chinon home at some point.
Chinon sits on the Vienne River.
You'll find a statue of Francois Rabelais on the riverbank. He is a French Renaissance writer, satirist & physician who was born in Chinon in 1494.
The historic center is a narrow traffic-free street, lined with shops, restaurants and medieval buildings. We were there in late May and there were hardly any tourists.
Typical medieval building with wider upper floors to avoid congestion on the narrow streets.
A plaque marks the spot where Joan of Arc dismounted from her horse in 1429.
Hotel du Gouverneur--home of the governors after the mid 17th century. The double spiral staircase frames the carriage entrance.
At the edge of town are several wine caves.
Caves Plouzeau is built into the rocks.
2017 05 29
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