Treasures of provincial museums: storming the fortress of Chinon

It was necessary to control the passage over the Vienne. This tributary of the Loire was strategic and the ideal rocky outcrop. A fort was built there, then two, then three, becoming a fortress that proud kings called their three castles. The three towers in the coat of arms of the city of Chinon come from there ...

Welcome to Touraine, a gentle country with an imposing heritage. At 6 p.m. and for half an hour, via an interposed screen, via a partnership with Le Figaro, Facebook France and the CLIC.France network bringing together digital initiatives in museums and heritage places, everyone can enjoy the company and knowledge of the site director, Marie Eve Scheffer.

With her, during half an hour of home video, we will play to put names on the high crenellated towers or covered with the fine slate dear to Bellay. There is that known as the mill, that of the dogs (which is in the shape of a horseshoe). There is the Coudray tower, the highest watch point. The most elegant is that of Boissy. And there is also that of the watchtower (the largest), that of Argenton which served as a prison, that of the clock, that of the treasure ... Not to mention the gables of the royal houses.

What a concentrate of history are these heavy white stones! It all starts with the ancient castrum mentioned by Grégoire de Tours. In the 10th century, the fortress was held by the counts of Blois, then by those of Anjou, great vassals of the king of France. In the middle of the 12th century, the military complex fell into the hands of the powerful King of England Henri II Plantagenêt. This completes it with a palace, that of Fort Saint-Georges located to the east. Sick, pressed by Philippe Auguste, Henri died there in 1189. Chinon was finally taken sixteen years later after a nine-month siege by the King of France.

Joan of Arc in Chinon

Let's skip another century. Then took place here a dark and decisive episode of the strengthening of the kingdom of France. Philip the Fair completed there the dismantling of the rich and powerful order of the Temple. Five dignitaries, including the grand master Jacques de Molay, were imprisoned in the Coudray tower, as some graffiti still testify on the spot. De Molay went to the stake in 1314 after a heresy trial.

Still about a hundred years and another mythical figure appears, brighter that one. Joan of Arc is received twice at Chinon by Charles VII; which convinces him to be crowned in Reims.

From the 16th century, the fortress fell asleep, less strategic and neglected in favor of more modern castles. Upon awakening, she finds herself a Historic Monument thanks to Prosper Mérimée. The first restorations began in 1857. And the last major archaeological excavation campaign took place between 2003 and 2010.

This Tuesday, May 19 from 6 p.m. on the site's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/forteressedechinon) as well as on their Instagram account.