Chinon

Chinon is the oldest major castle in France. Originally, a Gallo-Roman camp on the Vienne river, the main part was built in the twelfth century by Henry II of England, who owned property in France. If you've seen the movie Lion in Winter with Katherine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole, you know something about Henry II, also known as Henry Plantagenet, who was married to Eleanor of Aquataine. Henry II loved Chinon. He and Eleanor had five sons, including Richard I and John, who became King John of England.

In the seventeenth century Cardinal Richelieu bought Chinon and the castle declined in the ensuing centuries. Finally, in the nineteenth century the writer Prosper Merimée bought Chinon and began preservation. There is so much history here. You could spend a week and not see everything.

Michelin

Chinon...

Window seat overlooking the Vienne river in the medieval castle. Rick, of course, has his Michelin guide to do a little reading.

Joan of Arc

According to the guide, this is where Joan of Arc stood in 1429 when she first saw Charles VII of France. The "hall was lit by 50 torches; 300 gentlemen in rich apparel assembled there. The King hid among them. A courtier wore his robes." (Michelin, Châteaux of the Loire)

Joan "recognized" the King and "went" to him and said, "Gentle Dauphin, my name is Joan the Maid." (Michelin, Châteaux of the Loire) Charles was not yet crowned King of Bourges (France south of the Loire river). Henry VI was King of Paris (northern France) and had attacked and currently held siege the city of Orléans on the north bank of the Loire river.

Joan told the King that she was ready to fight for him against Henry VI. Charles had raised about $450,000 for an army from the southern leaders loyal to him. After Joan was subjected to much examination by various parties, Charles gave her an army. She defeated the English at Orléans and Charles VII was crowned in the city of Reims. As we all know, Joan came to a bad end, but before that she established the integrity of France.

Michelin

Wikipedia