The gare SNCF lies to the east of the town, from where rue du Dr-P.-Labussière and rue du 11-Novembre lead to the gare routière on place Jeanne-d'Arc, where Joan is sculptured in mid-battle charge. Keep heading west, either along the riverbank or across place Mirabeau into rue Rabelais, and you'll soon reach the old quarter. The tourist office is on place d'Hofheim, on the central rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau (May–Sept daily 10am–7pm; Oct–April Mon–Sat 10am–noon & 2–6pm; tel 02.47.93.17.85, www.chinon.com), and can provide addresses of local vineyards where you can taste Chinon's famous red wine.Hotels in Chinon charge a little more than elsewhere; for something inexpensive, book well in advance at the tiny Hôtel de la Treille, 4 place Jeanne d'Arc (tel 02.47.93.07.71; under €40). The Diderot, in a venerable town house east of the church of St Mexme at 7 rue Diderot (tel 02.47.93.18.87, fax 02.47.93.37.10; €40–70), has some grand old rooms as well as the brighter modern ones in the annexe, while the Agnès Sorel, 4 quai Pasteur (tel 02.47.93.04.37, www.agnes-sorel.com; €40–55) has some attractive rooms with balconies overlooking the river; it also rents bikes to all-comers. The campsite, Camping de l'Île Auger (tel 02.47.93.08.35; mid-March to mid-Oct), overlooks the old town and Château from the south bank of the Vienne; turn right from the bridge along quai Danton. Just beside the campsite, Confluence Chinon Canoë-Kayak (tel 06.84.94.74.69) hires out canoes and kayaks, and runs half-day and full-day guided trips in summer.
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