This may be the most recognizable feature of the château at Chinon. It's the tour de l'horloge (clock tower) that also serves as the gate into what they call the "middle" château. The tower was constructed in the year 1200 by Jean sans Terre (John Lackland, King of England, son of Henri II Plantagenêt) as he reinforced the château in advance of an invasion by Philippe Auguste of France.
The Tour de L'Horloge seen from the center of Chinon, September 2003.
Le Château du Milieu (the Middle Castle) is where the royal residence is located. It's flanked on the west by the Fort du Coudray and on the east by the Fort Saint-Georges. Together, the three châteaux make up the Forteresse Royale de Chinon. Visitors can climb the stairs to the top of the tower for impressive views of the town below and the river valley.
Beautiful shot. Have you climbed the stairs?
ReplyDeleteDidn't we stopped in Chinon on our way to Cunault?
ReplyDeleteI think that we did not stop in Chinon that day. I think we were in a hurry to get to Saumur for lunch, after stopping at Tavant and le Rivau. I'm basing that on a quick look through the photos I took that day.
DeleteAh Chinon, our favourite town. And plenty of choice for a good lunch!
ReplyDeleteI think that Doug and Betsy climbed up, when we visited -- I waited below :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was there in 2008 or 09, it was undergoing massive renovations although we were still able to walk through most of it. I agree with you Jean. I named my French Bulldog, Jean Luc de Chateau de Chinon but he was just Jean Luc to me.
ReplyDeletemitch, twice, I think.
ReplyDeletechm, I'm not sure... Ken probably remembers.
jean, yum!
judy, it's a tall tower...
bettyann, I've read about the reno, but I don't think I've been there since it was completed. Tasha's full name is Natasha des loups de l'Isengard (Natasha of the wolves of Isengard). The breeder was a Lord of the Rings fan. We picked the name "Natasha."