Chinon - Between history and legend

Who will be chosen? Twice visitors have the opportunity to remove - perhaps - King Arthur's sword. But hey, don't be too disappointed, there can only be one and only one chosen...

Instead, follow Percival, Gauvain, Lancelot and the other knights whose silhouettes show the way to the high places of legend. After a little Arthurian warm-up at the reception during a game of goose, take the booklet which will act as an audio guide.

No need to look for numbers, just approach the acronym to trigger touch screens, or even talking benches scattered in the small park.
The music of the Kaamelott series punctuates your arrival: these are the authentic sets of the series that have been installed in the various towers of the royal fortress of Chinon.

According to the guide, the historical facts of the series would have found the endorsement of historians (disregarding the dialogues...). There is the unavoidable rock and its sword on which the children fence (the fathers too...). The throne room (royal photos are allowed).

The wonderful cuisine of Caradoc, more real than life, in which floats an enticing scent of fresh bread and where you can enjoy a few episodes of the series.
From the mill tower, play lookout and enjoy the beautiful view of the city and the Vienne river. Hear Arthur and Guinevere's pillow talk and take a seat around the famous round table!

Arthur's true story

It's not all legend! At the origin of Arthur, there is a real Breton king who managed the feat of uniting the little warlords to fight the invaders. It was enough for a legend to be born!

It was Henry II Plantagenet, King of England, who had this story written down, claiming to be the descendant of this mythical ancestor! And it was also through this king that Arthur arrived at Chinon, Henry II's favorite castle!

Another fact connects the valiant knight to the fortress: by translating the book of Ambroise published in the 12th century, the academic Bruno Judic discovered that King Arthur entrusted the custody of Anjou and Touraine to his faithful squire Cheudon, whose name means Chinon.

Joan arrived...

After many adventures, the former stronghold of the Plantagenets returned to the kingdom of France.

This is where the Dauphin Charles, the future king of France, finds refuge. And that's where Joan of Arc came on February 23, 1429. But, no offense to the legend, the king had him first examined for months on his credibility. And it was only a month later that Joan brought a golden crown to the king. What follows is quite a story!