We have done lots of knocking on doors and shortlisting all the places we think you need to know about, in and around Chinon. Here’s our guide to local hangouts, markets, delicious restaurants, the best boulangeries and brocantes, wild swimming and picnicking spots, how to hire bikes and where to ride them to…and more.
Good places can go bad, and bad places do, on occasion, turn good! We try to keep this page as current and up-to-date as possible. Do tell us if you have comments or any feedback!
PS: The French are very courteous. Don’t attempt anything without a “Bonjour Madame/Monsieur.” It makes it nice for everyone!
Live Like a Local
The chateau and cobbled streets of Chinon are about a 5km drive away. It is an enchanting medieval town and we are thrilled to have it within such easy reach of La Fuye.
Chinon
LOCAL RESTAURANTS - book ahead in peak seasons (& don’t miss the pop-up summertime Guingettes)
MEDICAL & EMERGENCY INFORMATION
The Tourist Information Office in the centre of Chinon is also a great resource for more maps, double checking Châteaux opening hours, buying tickets in advance…and so on.
In addition to all of our suggestions, it’s also a good idea to log on to the local Marie’s website of whatever town or village you’re interested in discovering, as they will have a pretty up to date page listing exactly what’s going on, and when.
If you need any more information - just ask!
Don’t forget to visit our very near by - and very lovely - village of Huismes, which is within cycling distance. We have a cheat sheet on what to do in Huismes (pronounced ‘wheeme’) right here.
FURTHER READING
If we have managed to hold your attention this far down the page, you may have the appetite for a little more reading! If so, here is a recent Condé Nast Traveller article extolling the regions’ virtues —and an old but interesting piece on the lure of the Loire Valley, from The Guardian.
There is also quite a useful, functional website on visiting the Touraine here.
If you’re interested in the history of truffles in this region, have a look at our DISCOVER page, with further truffle-related reading found here.