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DISCOVERING CHINON
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
Half day tour |
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PROGRAMME
10:15 am
Departure for Cravant-les-Coteaux, going through Villaines –les-Rochers, a small
troglodyte village keeping the basket making tradition for several centuries and
Crissay-sur-Manse considered as one of the most beautiful village in France, with its XVth
c. houses. |
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You will drive along the TOURIST ROAD OF THE TOURAINE-VAL
DE LOIRE vineyards. You will see them growing on the hillside, where small vineyards
houses stand like keepers far from the villages built up around their church towers.
11:00 a.m.
Arrival in CRAVANT-LES-COTEAUX, at the DOMAINE DANIEL CHAUVEAU in the
CHINON VINEYARDS. Stretching out over 2,000 ha, the Chinon area was the birthplace of
Rabelais, who is said to have played as a child in the famous "caves Painctes"
in Chinon. . The winegrower will explain the making and ageing of the wine in oak barrels.
Enjoying Antiques, he will show you his impressive collection of tools and corkscrews . An
extremely warm greeting is characteristic of this place where it is recommended to stop.
The visit ends by a Chinon wine tasting: rosé wine with a tawny colour, or red with a
fine ruby colour and a violet fragrance…Continue towards Chinon.
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Lunch in Chinon, in a restaurant near the chateau which overlooks the
city.
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2: 30 p.m.
Guided Visit of the CHATEAU OF CHINON. Built at the top of a cliff overlooking the
valley of the Vienne river, this large medieval fortress, , was built by the count of
Blois, Thibault the third. Henri II Plantagenet, Richard The Lionhearted, John
Lackland…They were the first famous guests of this place. Philippe Auguste took the
fortress back from the Plantagenet family and added a keep ( donjon du Coudray). Ladies
also influenced the history of the chateau, Alienor of Aquitain and above all, Joan of Ark
who in 1429, met in the Reception room, the Dauphin, later Charles VIIth. In this chateau,
a fine example of the medieval military defence system, we will suggest a tour on the
theme of everyday life at that period of time.
3:30 p.m.
Meet with our guide at the chateau for a WALKING TOUR OF CHINON. You will admire a
beautiful panorama of the city and Vienne river valley, then you will walk down towards
the medieval city along the "Rue Jeanne d'Arc", up to the "Grand
Carroi", crossroad of the two main axes of the medieval town.. You will Discover the
"rue Voltaire", lined with remarkable timber framed houses with, in particular,
the "Maison Rouge" (XIVth and XVth centuries); the States General house where
Charles VII gathered the Kingdom's leaders in 1428 to decide of a war against the English;
a little bit further, the"rue Haute Saint-Maurice" with lovely private mansions
including the Governor's residence showing a beautiful double stairway; the
"Bailliage palace", and the "Saint-Maurice" church with a Romanesque
chancel. Return to the "place Victoire" along the "rue Voltaire", to
evoke the famous "Caves Painctes" so dear to Rabelais ‘heart. .
End of the day around 5:00 p.m.
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| PRICE
PER PERSON : promo@ligeris.com |
| The price includes : |
Visit of wine cellar + wine tasting in
Cravant les Coteaux
Lunch in Chinon (with 1/4 bottle of wine and coffee)
Entrance fee to the Chateau of Chinon
English speaking walking tour of Chinon
(approximately 90 min.) |
| It does not
include : |
Transportation
(we can propose you coache's services, please contact us)
Personal expenses |
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