Must-SeeMont-Saint-Michel
Normandy
About 130 miles away
A medieval abbey rising from a tidal bay on the Normandy coast.
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Chinon
A medieval town of wine cellars below a great royal fortress where Joan of Arc met the future king.
- Open
- Every day
- Price
- Paid for the fortress; the town is free
- Time Needed
- Half a day
- Address
- Forteresse Royale, 37500 ChinonDirections
- Getting There
- About 45 minutes by train or car southwest of Tours.
Why Go
Henry II of England made the fortress his favorite residence and died here in 1189. In 1429 Joan of Arc came to Chinon and picked out the disguised Dauphin Charles from among his courtiers. Below the restored ramparts, old streets of half-timbered houses lead to caves where Chinon's red wine is tasted.
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About 147 miles away
A walled corsair port, wild coasts, and Carnac's thousands of standing stones.
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Must-SeeParis
Île-de-France
About 152 miles away
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame and a thousand cafés. The world's most visited city, and it earns it.
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