Chinon (pop. 8,712) lies on the right bank of the Vienne, with its ruined castle looming over it on a ridge of hill which was already fortified in Roman times. The most important event in the history of Chinon was the meeting between Charles VII and Joan of Arc on March 9 1429 which marked the beginning of the reconquest of French territory from
the English.
François Rabelais (1494-1553) was born near Chinon and spent his childhood here.
In the atomic reactor of Avoine-Chinon (now closed down), 11km/7mi northwest of Chinon, is France's first Atomic Museum.
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