Who built the Chateau de Chinon?
King Henry II
The English King Henry II built much of Chinon castle in the 12th century to serve as an important regional control centre: he was also the Count of Anjou.
How many chateaux are there in Pays de la Loire?
300 chateaux
The castles of the Loire Valley are renowned the world over, and a very major attraction with visitors to France. Altogether there are more than 300 chateaux in the region, many built in the heyday of the French royalty and nobility, centred around the 17th-18th centuries.
Which city is in the Centre of the Loire Valley and its magnificent chateaux?
| Châteaux of the Loire Valley | |
|---|---|
| Location | France (Centre, Pays de la Loire) |
| Built | Renaissance period |
| Architectural style(s) | French Renaissance architecture |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site |
What does Chinon mean?
Chinon (French pronunciation: [ʃinɔ̃]) is a commune located in the Indre-et-Loire department in the Region Centre, France. The regional area is called the Touraine, which is known as the “garden of France”. It is well known for its wine, castle, and historic town.
Is Chinon Cabernet Franc?
Chinon is a city in Touraine, a province in the heart of the Loire Valley, France. The red wine of the region is Cabernet Franc. Chinon provided asylum to Kings from the 12th to 16th centuries, and remains dotted with limestone facades that whisper at its noble history.
Why are there so many châteaux in the Loire Valley?
The Loire Valley is chateau central. The accident of geography, battles between armies and the patronage of royal families brought fantastic castles into the area of the Loire Valley.
What is the oldest chateau in France?
Château de Thil
The oldest one is the Château de Thil, started in 850 AD, and the most recent one is the Château Louix XIV, completed in 2011. How do you narrow down that list to just 11? From Versailles to Cheverny and from Chambord to Fontainebleau, the must-see French châteaux and palaces take you for a ride back into time.
What is the most visited chateau in France?
the Palace of Versailles
Perhaps the most famous palace in France, and one of the most visited in the world, is the Palace of Versailles. Situated 10 miles outside of Paris lies this extravagant château.
Why are there so many castles in Loire Valley?
The Loire Valley is chateau central. The accident of geography, battles between armies and the patronage of royal families brought fantastic castles into the area of the Loire Valley. …
What is the climate like in Centre Val de Loire?
Climate: Centre-Val de Loire. The climate here is mild, and generally warm and temperate. The is a great deal of rainfall in Centre-Val de Loire, even in the driest month. This climate is considered to be Cfb according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification.
Is Chinon worth visiting?
Only half joking, the Chinon nuclear plant is much more viewable than any in the U.S., from passing roads. While it is 100% worth visiting (elevator to the lower town), the castle at Chinon is a ruin.
Where is the Chateau de Chinon in Indre et Loire?
The castle, which contains a museum, is now owned and managed by the Indre-et-Loire General Council and is a major tourist attraction. It was restored in the early 21st century, at a cost of € 14.5 million. The settlement of Chinon is on the bank of the Vienne river about 10 kilometres (6 mi) from where it joins the Loire.
Where are the chateaux in the Loire Valley?
Many of the châteaux were built on hilltops, such as the Château d’Amboise, while the only one built in the riverbed is the Château de Montsoreau. Many had exquisite churches on the grounds or within the château.
Where was the settlement of Chinon in France?
The settlement of Chinon is on the bank of the Vienne river about 10 kilometres (6 mi) from where it joins the Loire. From prehistoric times, when the settlement of Chinon originated, rivers formed the major trade routes, and the Vienne joins the fertile southern plains of the Poitou and the city of Limoges to the thoroughfare of the Loire.
When did Henry II of England take over Chateau de Chinon?
In 1156 Henry II of England, a member of the House of Anjou, took the castle from his brother Geoffrey, Count of Nantes, after Geoffrey rebelled for a second time. Henry favoured the Château de Chinon as a residence. Most of the standing structure can be attributed to his reign; he died there in 1189.