Royal
fortress
of Chinon
The visit starts with the royal quarters
and continues throughout the site.
All along these visit trails, films and
interactive or audio terminals are there to
help you discover the site and its history.
These terminals present the history of the
fortress and portray the great figures
who have left their mark here.
WHAT YOU CAN VISIT
◊
1. the royal quarters
historical show
and light.................................. 6
of revolt................................10
◊ ROOM 3 - Battle of kings..................................14
◊ ROOM 4 - The destiny......................................18
2. the three castles
The Middle castle
◊ ROOM 1 - Anger
◊ The
◊ ROOM 2 - Dawn
◊ The
multimEdia - collections
Fort Coudray
of Arc Rooms................. 22
and
Archaeology Rooms....................................... 26
royal quarters.........................................32
Argenton Tower.....................................34
◊ The Dogs Tower...........................................36
◊ The Clocktower............................................38
◊ ROOMS 5 & 6 - Joan
◊ The
◊ ROOMS 7 & 8 - History
◊ The
Boissy Tower.........................................40
Mill Tower.............................................42
◊ The Coudray Tower......................................44
Fort Saint George
◊ Fort
Saint George.........................................46
1.
the royal quarters
The visit of the royal quarters takes in:
◊ 4 historical show rooms
◊ 2 rooms devoted to Joan of Arc
collections
◊ 1 multimedia room
◊ 1 History and Archaeology room
In the 15th century, the royal quarters were
arranged in three buildings set around a
courtyard. The only surviving part of these
buildings is the south wing, which today
houses our royal quarters’ visit trail. This
wing housed the apartments of Charles VII
and Mary of Anjou, accommodated on the
first floor. The queen, the main occupant
of these quarters between 1435 and 1461,
commissioned many alterations.
the royal quarters
◊
historical show
◊
room 1
10-11th centuries
“Anger
and light”
In Chinon, Fulk IV wrote
the history of the counts of Anjou.
This film evokes a day of the life
of Fulk IV, Count of Anjou.
He reigned for forty years, from 1068.
He fortified the Castle of Chinon
and commissioned the writing of the
Chronicles of the Counts of Anjou, the
first narrative history of this dynasty.
6
Chinon,
residence
of the Counts
of Anjou
Shortly before the millennium, France
was divided into a patchwork of fiefdoms.
At that time, the fortress of Chinon was
held by the Counts of Blois, vassals of
the King of France. Their neighbours, the
Counts of Anjou, wanted to extend their
domain and seized Touraine in 1044.
Chinon then became one of their
principal residences.
7
historic milestones
◊
1044
◊
Count Geoffrey Martel of Anjou seizes
Touraine and the fortress of Chinon,
ousting the Counts of Blois.
◊
1087-1105
Fulk IV gradually restores his authority over
his vassals. He levies a special tax in order
to build a new fortified enclosure at the
fortress.
1068
His nephew, Fulk IV known as Le Réchin
(the Quarreller), succeeds him. Fulk
usurps the title of Count of Anjou that
should have fallen to his brother and who
he holds prisoner in the fortress for almost
thirty years.
◊
the royal quarters
1096
Pope Urban II, visiting Tours to preach
on behalf of the Crusade, makes a visit
to Chinon in person, to obtain his release.
8
◊
1109
At the death of Fulk IV, Anjou had more
or less attained its definitive borders.
His grandson, Geoffrey V of Anjou,
called the Handsome (le Bel) adopts the
nickname Plantagenet that is to remain
with the dynasty thereafter. Geoffrey’s son,
Henri II Plantagenet, will later become
king of England.
9
the royal quarters
◊
historical show
◊
room 2
12th century
“Dawn of
revolt”
Chinon,
heart of the
Plantagenet
Empire
The rivalries between Henri II and his
sons disrupt the Plantagenet Empire.
This film evokes moments of the reign of
Henri II Plantagenet at Chinon. In 1172, the
castle is the scene of the conflict between the
sovereign and his sons, who are supported
by their mother Eleanor of Aquitaine. These
betrayals afflict Henri II up until his death at
Chinon, on July 6, 1189.
Around 1140, Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou,
took the nickname Plantagenet (after
the yellow sprig of broom he wore in his
hat [French: genêt]). His son Henry II,
crowned king of England in 1154, reigned
over a vast empire stretching from England
to Aquitaine, taking in Normandy and
Anjou. He made Chinon the centre of his
continental possessions.
10
11
historic milestones
◊
1152
◊
1154
◊
Henry Plantagenet marries Eleanor, just
divorced from the King of France. She
brings him Aquitaine in her dowry. In
thirteen years, they have eight children five
of whom are boys.
◊
Henry inherits a claim to the crown
of England from his mother and takes
the name of Henry II. At Chinon, he
commissions much building work including
Fort Saint George, a palatial structure
where he installs his administration and
his government.
◊
the royal quarters
1173
Henry II has his wife Eleanor imprisoned
at Chinon. Accused of supporting her sons’
plots against him, she is subsequently kept
under house arrest in England for nearly
fifteen years.
1189
At the time of his death at Chinon, Henry
leaves his sons a very organized state, but
their rivalry makes this empire fragile.
1170
The king divides his time between England
and his continental states. Touraine, with
the Castle of Chinon, becomes a base for
military operations for the king.
12
13
the royal quarters
◊
historical show
◊
room 3
early 13th century
“Battle
of kings”
Chinon
becomes part
of the kingdom
of France
Philippe Auguste and Richard The
Lionheart clash. This film evokes the
confrontation between the Plantagenets,
kings of England and the Capetians,
kings of France, at the turn of the 12th
and 13th centuries. Despite their unity in
the Crusade, a territorial struggle ensues
between the two sovereigns. The capture
of the fortress of Chinon, in 1205, is a
turning point in this conflict.
In 1191, Richard The Lionheart reigns
over the Plantagenet Empire. He allies
with Philippe Auguste, King of France,
in the Crusade. On the way back from the
Crusade, Richard is taken prisoner. Philippe
Auguste takes advantage of the situation
to attack Normandy, Maine, Poitou and
Anjou. Entering into an alliance with the
King of France, John Lackland betrays his
imprisoned brother.
14
15
historic milestones
◊
1191
the royal quarters
◊
Richard The Lionheart, King of England,
and Philippe Auguste, King of France, go
to the Crusade and win several victories
together in the Holy Land. Philippe
Auguste is the first to return to the West.
◊
◊
1192-1194
On his return from the crusade, Richard,
now nicknamed Lionheart, is taken prisoner
by the emperor of Germany. He is freed in
return for a considerable ransom.
He must now restore his power, exercised
in his absence by his younger brother John
of England (John Lackland), who has allied
himself with the King of France.
He undertakes to re-conquer his territories,
starting with Normandy, controlled by
Philippe Auguste.
16
1199
Richard is wounded in the siege of Châlus,
in Limousin. He dies without an heir,
leaving the much coveted Plantagenet
crown to his brother John Lackland.
1200-1202
For two years, King John improves the
fortifications of the Castle of Chinon. In
August 1200, he chooses Chinon to celebrate
his marriage to Isabella of Angouleme, cousin
of the King of France, who he has snatched
away from her suitor Hugh de Lusignan.
Seizing this pretext, Philippe Auguste goes
back to war against John.
◊
1205
The fortress falls on June 23, while John is
in England. Defeated in 1214, he returns
to Chinon to sign a truce with Philippe
Auguste.
17
the royal quarters
◊
historical show
◊
room 4
15th century
“The Destiny”
Chinon,
the historic
encounter
The encounter of Joan of Arc and Charles
at Chinon. This film evokes the beginnings
of the epic story of Joan of Arc: the journey
from Vaucouleurs in Lorraine to Chinon,
the encounter with the future Charles VII,
then the finding of her sword at the church
of Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois. This
episode announces the re-conquest of the
kingdom of France from the English.
Since the beginnings of the Hundred
Years’ war in 1328, the kingdom of France
has been in a state of upheaval. In 1419,
the king of France Charles VI, disinherits
his son, the Dauphin Charles, favouring
the King of England. The future Charles
VII withdraws to Bourges and to his
domains in the Loire. He makes Chinon
one of his residences.
18
19
historic milestones
◊
1420
The future Charles VII disputes
the validity of the treaty of Troyes,
disinheriting him, and has himself
proclaimed King of France. His kingdom,
limited to territories to the south of the
Loire, has Bourges for its capital.
◊
1422-1427
Charles celebrates his marriage with Mary
of Anjou in Bourges. At that time, Chinon
is his summer residence and he installs the
court there in 1427.
◊
1429
In March, Joan of Arc comes to Chinon
to meet Charles VII. This famous episode
of the epic story is generally depicted
as a mythical and miraculous scene:
The Recognition.
20
the royal quarters
There were actually two meetings at Chinon.
The first one was on February 25, 1429,
two days after the arrival of Joan. She was
taken to the apartments of the king who
received her with a small committee. She
was lodged in the Coudray keep.
Charles VII then sent her to Poitiers so that
theologians could judge her good faith.
On her return, Joan was again received
by the king. This second audience “of the
Sign”, took on the more official status often
attributed to the first interview.
21
the royal quarters
◊
multimedia - collections
◊
rooms 5 & 6
Joan of Arc
rooms
Only one portrait of Joan was actually
made during her life time. This bears
no resemblance to the multitude of
representations produced after her death.
The works presented in these rooms form
a collection devoted to the representations
of Joan of Arc from the 16th to the
20th century.
22
A POPULAR
ICON
The plumed heroin of the monarchy
In the 17th century, at the initiative of
Cardinal Richelieu, the «famous» who gave
their lives for the king were used to extol
loyalty to the kingdom. Joan of Arc was
transformed into an allegorical figure. In
that era, she was represented as an Amazon
sporting a plume, a symbol of victory.
23
mutimedia - collections
The “statue-mania” of the 19th century
In the 19th century, sculptors seized upon
Joan of Arc and a very great number of
statues were devoted to her. At the end
of the century, nationalism in France
was reinforced by the defeat at the
hands of Prussia in 1870. The abundant
representations of Joan of Arc illustrate
this patriotic current.
Joan of Arc as a symbol in WW1
During the First World War, the image
of Joan of Arc was used to support the
war effort. Postcards bearing her image
were widely disseminated and often used
in correspondence between the French
soldiers and their families. By 1917, her
image was famous well beyond the borders
of France and posters were printed with
her iconic image in Britain and in the
United States.
24
the royal quarters
Joan of Arc in pictures
Joan of Arc has occupied a prominent place
in popular iconography. The best known
are the images from Epinal seen as of
1887. These are often the work of famous
illustrators such as Job.
The success of these images was further
enhanced in 1909, which was marked by
her beatification.
In 1956, the fifth centenary of her
rehabilitation again created a renewed
interest. Many posters were produced for
her glorification between 1950 and 1960.
25
the royal quarters
◊
multimedia - collections
◊
rooms 7 & 8
History and
Archaeology
rooms
These two rooms will help you to get
a more in-depth understanding of the
fortress, through the multimedia content as
well as the archaeological and iconographic
collections. The rooms can be visited
independently from the royal quarters.
26
Chinon,
from Gallic
times to the
present day
The exhibits come from recent
archaeological excavations. They
correspond to different periods and are
grouped by theme: the tomb of a Gallic
warrior, aspects of daily life in the Middle
Ages, etc. An interactive display provides
3D reconstructions of the fortress at
different eras.
27
the fortress
A fortress reborn
Beginning of the restructuring works
2010
2003
Listed as historic monument
1857
1840
Last fortification works
during the wars of religion
1560
Louis I of Anjou undertakes
substantial works
1350
Philippe Auguste extends
the fortification
1205
First restoration
Henri II Plantagenet undertakes
the construction of Fort Saint George
1160
The fortified enclosure
is completed by Fulk IV
1105
954
5 c
The first stone tower is erected
Construction of the wall of the castrum
key actors in its history
1854
Prosper Mérimée intervenes to save
the fortress from destruction
1429
Joan of Arc comes to Chinon
to meet Charles VII
1205
Philippe Auguste takes the fortress
1189
Henri II dies at Chinon
1154
Henri II Plantagenet, Count
of Anjou, becomes King of England
1044
Geoffrey Martel, Count of Anjou, takes
the fortress from the Count of Blois
0
A Gallic warrior is buried at the site
of Fort Saint George
th
Birth of a Gallo-Roman
settlement
1
Gallic aristocratic residence on the site
of Fort Saint George
-1
st
st
c
c
2.
the threecastles
The Middle castle
◊ The royal quarters
◊ The Argenton Tower
◊ The Dogs Tower
◊ The Clocktower
Fort Coudray
◊ The Boissy Tower
◊ The Mill Tower
◊ The Coudray Tower
Fort Saint George
The royal fortress of Chinon is built on
a rocky outcrop overlooking the river
Vienne and the town. Little by little, the
space was structured into three distinct
parts, that the kings called their three
castles. Thus, from west to east, the
rocky promontory is divided by ditches,
separating the three castles: Fort Coudray,
the Middle castle and Fort Saint George.
Each of them has a separate fortified
enclosure. The royal quarters stand in
the Middle Castle.
the three castles
◊
the middle castle
From the late 12th century onwards, the
site of the royal quarters featured a large
hall used for court life. In the course of the
13th century, a smaller building was added
to the west. Around 1370, Duke Louis I of
Anjou undertook the reconstruction of the
royal quarters, introducing a hall of justice.
Of these works, only the south wing has
survived to the present day.
At the time of Charles VII, the royal
quarters took on their definitive
configuration, with three wings arranged
around a courtyard. In the 15th century,
the quarters housed the royal apartments.
These include the essential amenities: an
antechamber and a bedroom, bathroom
and closet. The service rooms and the
dining room are on the ground floor.
Located at the eastern end of this wing,
the 14th century Hall of Justice became
the great hall of the castle also known as
the «Hall of Recognition”. To the north, one
of the buildings of the Saint-Melaine priory
was transformed into a hall for playing
court tennis (jeu de paume).
32
33
The royal
quarters
the three castles
◊
the middle castle
In 1477, King Louis XI entrusted the
fortress of Chinon to his biographer
Philip Commynes, Lord of Argenton.
He reinforced the northwest corner of
the Middle Castle by building a new, more
robust tower, able to withstand the new
gunpowder weapons.
Its walls are five meters thick and
embrasures for cannons feature down
to the lowest level, at ditch height. The
top terrace is on the same level as the
courtyard of the Middle Castle. This tower,
less elevated than the others, is hence less
fragile. It served as a prison in the 17th
century, as evidenced by the graffiti on
walls. The bombards (primitive canons)
arranged on the terrace are originals
dating back to the later 16th century.
From this terrace, you can also observe
the reconstruction of a wooden crane,
from the late 12th or 13th century.
34
35
The Argenton
Tower
the three castles
◊
the middle castle
The Dogs
Tower
The Dogs Tower is one of the great
towers built during the reign of Philip
Auguste, like the Coudray Tower and
the Watchtower (tour de l'Échauguette).
In contrast to the two others, it is not
circular but in a horseshoe shape. It owes
its name to nearby kennels, which housed
the royal hounds in the 15th century.
36
It has three vaulted levels surmounted
by a terrace. Access is on the middle
floor. This is now on the same level as
the Middle Castle, which was not the
case in the Middle Ages. The loop-holes
or arrow slits are offset from one level to
another to provide effective defence and
to avoid weakening the wall structure.
Latrines are provided between the first
and second floors. The bread oven situated
on the middle floor, like the one in the
neighbouring tower, probably dates back
to the 15th century and provided for the
needs of the court.
37
the three castles
◊
the middle castle
the
clocktower
In its current lofty and slender
configuration, the Clocktower dates from
the late 14th century. Since the end of the
12th century, it has served as the entrance
to the Middle Castle. It takes its name
from the clock installed in the turret that
rises above roof level.
38
Originally, the tower featured a door in a
tall, slender structure, with a semi-circular
extremity. Under the reign of Philippe
Auguste, in the early 13th century, it was
elevated and secured with a portcullis and
a drawbridge. It was defended by three
loop-holes. In the late 14th century, it
was considerably elevated, in order to
accommodate rooms. A spiral staircase
was created to provide access to the five
levels that the tower now boasted. An old
“Chinonais” saying tells us the name of
the bell that has rung out on the hour
since 1399:
“Mary-Javelle
Is my name.
Whoever set me
Set me well
Who may remove me
The day will rue”
39
the three castles
◊
fort coudray
The Boissy
Tower
The Boissy Tower was erected in the 13th
century, perhaps at the time of Saint Louis
(Louis IX). It derives its name from the
lords of Boissy, governors of the Castle
of Chinon in the 16th century. It offers a
clear view of the valley and was probably
home to a chapel on the first floor, under
its elegantly sculpted arches.
On the ground floor there is a guardroom,
featuring loop-holes (arrow slits) that watch
over the valley and the Coudray moat.
A stairway built into the walls gives access
to the two floors and the terrace. From
the terrace, there is access to the Coudray
Tower, via a walkway. In the early 15th
century, major alterations were made.
The tower now communicated with the
royal quarters, via a walkway and through
an added gate, preceded by a drawbridge.
An extra floor was also added.
40
41
the three castles
◊
fort coudray
The Mill
Tower
The Tower Mill is a prime example of
military architecture from the days of King
John. It is a key element of Fort Coudray,
built in the late 12th century. The ground
floor, with its polygonal plan, and
segmental, domed roof, is typical of the
era, but very rare in Plantagenet castles.
It owes its name to the presence of a
windmill perched on its summit, a feature
of the modern era.
42
It is the only tower of the castle to be
protected in its lower part by a perimeter
wall. You go in at ground floor level from
Fort Coudray. The ground floor does not
communicate with the first floor, accessible
only by the walkway. Both rooms are
equipped with loop-holes opening into
niches, characteristic of the time. The
top floor, which forms a perfect lookout,
features six large windows. Access from the
first floor is by a staircase built into in the
thickness of the wall, which also rises onto
the terrace.
43
the three castles
◊
fort coudray
The Coudray Tower is the one of the three
surviving towers from the works carried
out by Philippe Auguste after he captured
the fortress in 1205. It overlooks the Mill
Tower built by his enemy King John. Its
name dates from the Middle Ages and
may be due to the presence of a grove of
hazelnut trees inside the fort (“coudres”
in old French).
The tower is flanked by a door with a
drawbridge and a portcullis, which secures
the Fort Coudray. There are still three
levels intact, all featuring loop-holes. The
first two are covered with a Gothic vault.
Access to the tower is on the second floor,
and the door is protected by a trap (dropbox). It has fireplaces and latrines. The
lower room features a tunnel entrance,
allowing occupants to escape discreetly
in case of siege. These design details were
modern and sophisticated, and are a sign
of the close attention that the royal powers
paid to Chinon. It was used as a prison for
dignitaries of the Order of the Temple in
1308. Joan of Arc was a guest there in 1429.
44
45
The Coudray
Tower
the three castles
◊
fort saint george
fort
saint george
Around 1160, Henry II Plantagenet
built a new set of buildings to the east
of the old fortress inherited from his
ancestors. This palace, designed without
any military purpose, was intended for
his administration and to hold his court
when he was in residence at Chinon.
Fort Saint George was named after
the palace’s chapel, dedicated to Saint
George, patron saint of knights.
46
Forty years later, the son of Henry II, King
John, strengthened the defences of the
castle to resist the pressure of his rival King
Philippe Auguste of France. He fortified
Fort Saint George, which became an outpost
protecting the main castle from the direction
of the road to Tours. Today, it houses the
new welcome centre for the fortress.
47
◊ scenography
◊ companies
Sponsor
Conseil général d’Indre-et-Loire
Audiovisual and multimedia
production
Compagnie des taxis-brousse
Drôle de trame
Extras for historical reconstructions:
Association pour l'histoire vivante
Design, lighting scenography
Frédéric Casanova
Management of productions,
mediation
Michel Kouklia (Ubiscène)
Printing of guidebook
Imprimerie Escourbiac
Graphics, printing & signage
Agnès Dahan
Fittings and organisation
GL Events services
Scientific committee (Cg37)
Marie-Eve Scheffer, archaeologist,
fortress director
Bruno Dufaÿ, archaeologist, head
of Archaeology department
Julie Pellegrin, chief curator,
Monuments and Museums
Multimedia equipment
ETC audiovisuel
The films in the historical
show rooms were created by
Benjamin Silvestre
Excerpts of films
p. 6: Jacques Develay ; p. 10: Roxane
Lebrun, Elisabeth Montaufray, JeanBaptiste Chauvin, Thomas Laliberté;
p. 14: Franck Beckmann, Pierre
Bayard, p. 18 : Aurélia Poirier
forteresse royale de chinon
Networks, lighting
Sté Bideau
Principal by delegation
SET Sté d’équipement de la Touraine
Hélène Garric
Anne Lavat
The restructuring of the fortress was
completed with the assistance of: