Tours of Chinon

By Sidecar or Camper

See Chinon and the surrounding area from the sidecar of a retro motorbike - the latest way from which to see the Loire region. Have a look at their website to see the different packages they offer, depending on what you want to visit. There is also the considerably cheaper Chinon Vintage Tour in an old VW camper van, which offers three different routes starting from €25.

By Boat

Chinon also offers boat tours with Joules as your captain. Read about them here. The view of Chinon and the fortress from the Vienne offers a new way to appreciate Chinon, made all the more fun by bringing your own picnic and wine. Joules also knows someone who can cater for you, if you want to dine properly whilst onboard and have a more formal dinner.

And Finally, à pied

La Chapelle Sainte-Radegonde is well worth a visit (you can park in the public car park opposite the boulangerie ‘Les Tours des Pains’; you can only access Radegonde by foot). Not only does getting there involve a lovely view of Chinon and a good walk, but the small, ruined chapel is noteworthy for being hewn into the tuffeau (local limestone unique to the Loire Valley) rock and for its 12th-century murals, including one of the very few visual representations of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her family. The chapel extends via several galleries and tunnels, including one that leads to a well dating back to Roman times. There are signs in Chinon indicating the walking route and it is a good uphill hike. If you are going from the fortress, it is about a 20-minute walk but the views of Chinon are excellent. Check ahead of visiting whether the Chapelle is open, (it is closed over winter) but even if it’s not, it’s a lovely place to walk to and see the town from.