In Chinon
- Medieval Days: It is a large traditional festival that takes place every year on the first Saturday of August and whose entry is free in order to allow visitors to transport themselves for a moment to the Middle Ages thanks to the many people in costume wandering through the historic center of the city . A good opportunity to taste traditional « fouées » and Chinon wines. Free entry.
- Night of the Stars: Organized by the Astronomy in Chinonais association: Observation of the sky with the naked eye and telescope, visit to the observatory, models, exhibition Friday August 9 at 9 p.m. – Chinon Observatory (follow the signs from Cugnot high school). Free – No reservation, Information: www.astrochinon.orgLa Nuit des étoiles :
- La Vit’visite : Organized by the city of Chinon, with the Alborada Company: “offbeat” visits that combine theater, songs, music and crazy historical paintings. A unique way to discover the rich history of Chinon, which will enchant young and old alike! Monday August 12, 19 and 26 at 6 p.m. Prices: €8 / €4 / Free for under 10s – Duration 1h30 – Departure from the Fontaine des Trois Grâces, Place du Général de Gaulle Reservations and tickets: Azay-Chinon-Val de Loire Tourist Office, 02 47 93 17 85. Information: www.ville-chinon.com
- Les Nuits des Lumières : (the night of the lights): Organized by the city of Chinon, for three evenings, a free and open trail is open to all on the Promenade des Docteurs Mattraits and its exceptional avenue of plane trees. The natural space is transformed by wrapping itself in a poetic atmosphere with an unusual light scenography. Visitors are invited to a nighttime stroll in a colorful, musical and festive atmosphere! Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 August, from 9 p.m. to midnight – Promenade des Docteurs Mattraits. Free. Program: www.ville-chinon.com
- Discover the Sainte-Radegonde Chapel and the former Saint-Mexme Collegiate Church: The Sainte-Radegonde Chapel is one of the most emblematic monuments of the town of Chinon. Located on a hillside, this Romanesque and semi-troglodytic chapel is built around the tomb of a hermit from the Early Middle Ages (6th century). You will discover a very old well dug into the rock and the famous mural painting The Royal Hunt from the 12th century, probably representing the Plantagenet family. Enter the former Saint-Mexme collegiate church from the year 1000, a major witness to the first Romanesque art in Touraine. Today transformed into a cultural center, it still preserves many vestiges of its rich history. Come and admire its striking architecture, its Romanesque and Gothic sculpted decorations and its sumptuous mural paintings from the 12th to the 15th century. Since 2006, it has been magnified by contemporary stained glass windows after the famous artist Olivier Debré. Until Saturday August 31: Every day / 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Free self-guided tour. Information: heritage service, 02 47 93 53 26, Azay-Chinon-Val de Loire Tourist Office, 02 47 93 17 85
- Visite découverte « Secrets de la Ville-fort » : Discovery tour “Secrets of the Fortified City”: At the foot of the Royal Fortress, follow the guide for an in-depth discovery of the heritage of the historic city. Push open doors, take secret passages and learn everything about Chinon, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Fridays 2, 9, 16 and 23 August at 10:30 a.m. Prices: €5 / €3 / Free for under 18s – Duration: 1h30 – Departure from the Tourist Office. Reservations and tickets: Azay-Chinon-Val de Loire Tourist Office, 02 47 93 17 85. Information: heritage service, 02 47 93 53 26, www.ville-chinon.com
- Chinon au crépuscule – Visite nocturne : Chinon at dusk – Night visit: When the sun goes down and the light becomes softer, the mystery of the medieval streets is revealed, the illuminated monuments reveal new facets. Let yourself be carried away by this visit of the city off the beaten track. Wednesdays August 7 and 21 at 9 p.m. Prices: €5 / €3 / Free for under 18s – Duration: 1h30 – Departure from the Tourist Office. Reservations and tickets: Azay-Chinon-Val de Loire Tourist Office, 02 47 93 17 85 Information: heritage service, 02 47 93 53 26, www.ville-chinon.com
Fontevraud Royal Abbey
- « Les étoiles de Fontevraud »: “The Stars of Fontevraud”: From July 16 to August 25, 2024, every evening except Monday, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is adorned with a thousand lights with a unique nighttime tour in the footsteps of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Guided by the glow of the lanterns, embark on a unique sound and light tour. Stroll through the Abbey at night and discover the incredible story of the Plantagenet family and its queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. This show combines light shows inside the monument, projections on its facades and sound effects, for a poetic journey that will leave the spectator with their head in the stars. Every evening except Monday, Free wandering from 9:30 p.m. to midnight (last entry: 11:30 p.m.).
- Temporary exhibition “Bernard Buffet”, until September 29, 2024, at the Museum of Modern Art of the Royal Abbey.
Chateau d'Azay-Le-Rideau
Visit the castle and the exhibition in the evening, From July 10 to August 24, From Wednesday to Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. (last entry 10 p.m.). In the middle of summer, the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau offers a unique experience of visiting the exhibition “Dressing the Marvelous, Stage Costumes”. At nightfall, the atmosphere of the castle is transformed and is won over by the magic emanating from the fairytale costumes on display. Through a sound trail composed of extracts of music from the ballets and operas of the costumes presented, you will be immersed in the world of live performance and the wonderful and magical atmosphere of the tales.
Price included in the ticket price: €13 (free for under 26s).
Chateau de l'Islette
L’Islette à la belle étoile (L’Islette under the stars) :
On Wednesdays, l’Islette will remain open without interruption until 11:00 p.m., an opportunity to (re)discover the castle and the park at nightfall and by the light of 1000 candles and to share a picnic with family or friends by the water.
- On Fridays, for the jazz aperitif picnic evenings, l’Islette will remain open until 9:30 p.m., an opportunity to share an aperitif or a picnic with music in the castle park.
- On Saturdays, for the musical picnic evenings, l’Islette will remain open until 9:30 p.m., an opportunity to share an aperitif or a picnic with music in the castle park.
Regular entrance fee. Information: info@chateaudelislette.fr
Chateau du Rivau
Equestrian jousts : The trumpet of the herald of arms will sound again! After putting on his armour and grabbing his lance, the lord of Rivau will fight loyally against the lord of Langeais during jousts hosted by the Chevalerie Initiatique.
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August, Shows at 11am, 2.30pm and 4.30pm (times subject to change for the well-being of horses and riders depending on the weather: heatwave, extreme heat).
Les Apé’Rivau
Les Apé’Rivau are three musical and friendly events that will liven up your summer evenings in the Loire Valley: July 25, August 1 and August 15!
For the second consecutive year, the Château du Rivau and its Remarkable Gardens will welcome visitors in the evening, offering you a different concert every day!
For the occasion, the castle and gardens will remain open throughout the evening! The opportunity to discover the place from a new angle: come and admire the last rays of sunshine of the day caressing the old stone of the castle, experience a real enchantment in a rustic and musical atmosphere, or stroll, picnic and dance with friends or family in the heart of magical gardens…
Full program: https://www.chateaudurivau.com/fr/
And for more ...
And to have ALL the information and ALL the programs: https://www.azay-chinon-valdeloire.com/nos-agendas/agenda/