Chinon, France: The Real-Life Fairytale Town

As a long-time lover of fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty, visiting Chinon was an absolute dream come true. From the beautiful 15th century buildings to the adorable cobblestone streets, everything about this town holds new discoveries.

Chinon is one of the best areas in France to enjoy relaxing strolls, incredible cafes, and beautiful scenery.

If you are looking for some adventure while staying in Chinon, be sure to check out Château de Chinon. This castle can take hours to explore, but it holds an incredible amount of history as well as some of the best views of the city! This is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Joan of Arc as well because the castle’s museum features many exhibits about her.

Château de Chinon is not the only castle nearby, however. Just a drive away are around 50 castles to explore!

Château de Chenonceau is one of the most notable of these castles. Not only is the architecture breathtaking, the gardens are blooming with some of the most beautiful flowers. If you want to tour the inside of the castle, be sure to reserve a time online or in the ticket booth.

Don’t worry if you can’t enter the castle as soon as you arrive! Use this time to explore the grounds and soak in the beautiful scenery! (As pictured below)

Another fun part of visiting Chinon and the surrounding areas is the amount of cats wandering around the streets! In fact, many of the castles have their own resident cat to greet you near the ticket booth!