Chinon The Royal Fortress of Chinon

Joan of Arc reached Chinon in the last days of February or the first days of March 1429, after eleven days on the road from Vaucouleurs; the sources differ on the dates. The fortress’s historians place her first audience in the king’s chamber, in a small company; a later tradition sets the scene in the great hall, where she knew the Dauphin Charles among his courtiers. He sent her to be examined by theologians at Poitiers, then gave her an army.

The fortress above the Vienne was restored between 2003 and 2010. A wall of the royal great hall still stands, with its fireplace, and the Tower of Coudray, where Templars were held in 1308, has graffiti attributed to them.

Further reading: Joan of Arc in France: The Places of Her Life.

• The great hallThe wall and the fireplace of the royal great hall.
• The Tower of CoudrayWith graffiti attributed to the Templars.

• May 30, in FranceFeast of Saint Joan of Arc

• Saint Joan of ArcThe Maid of Orléans, secondary patroness of France

• Via IoannaeJoan’s Way, eight daysDay III, Auxerre to Chinon · Day IV, Chinon

About an hour by road or train from Tours.

• L’Île-BouchardThe Church of Saint-Gilles, about 9 miles as the crow flies
• ToursThe Basilica of Saint Martin, about 26 miles as the crow flies
• FontgombaultThe Abbey of Notre-Dame of Fontgombault, about 49 miles as the crow flies
• SolesmesThe Abbey of Saint-Pierre of Solesmes, about 54 miles as the crow flies