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Departure from Place Jeanne d'Arc (free car park).
(S/E) Take Rue Hoche, next to the pharmacy, and go up to the square. Go around the Saint-Mexme Collegiate Church on the left.
(1) At the corner of the collegiate church, turn right onto a small path (Rue du Pitoche). Continue along Rue du Coteau de Sainte-Radegonde and follow theGR®48(red and white markings). At the next fork, turn right. The path overlooks the town, passes some cave dwellings and reaches the Sainte-Radegonde Chapel (inside, there is a 12th-century fresco).
(2) Continue along the path and descend to the well, the remains of a 6th-century pagan sanctuary.
(3) Cross Rue de la Roche-Faucon at the pedestrian crossing and take the stairs opposite (Passage des Courtières). You will come out onto Chemin des Courtières. Follow it to the right with the GR®. You will overlook Clos de L'Olive and pass Clos Guillot, two renowned vineyards in the Chinon appellation.
(4) When you reach the tarmac road (opposite Clos du Chêne Vert - the oak tree is clearly visible at the top of the ridge), turn right to leave theGR®48. After about 50 metres, take the path on the left that climbs up through the vineyards. When you reach a plot of vines planted parallel to the hillside, take the path on the left to go around the plot and climb up to the observatory.
(5) Turn right in front of the observatory and follow the path to the tarmac road. Then follow the road to the right (the road is located on the route taken by Joan of Arc in 1429 on her arrival in Chinon). As you descend, note the Coteau du Noiré on your right.
(6) Opposite the Clos de la Grille, take the path on the left through the vineyards. Cross the road and continue straight ahead. After about 200 metres, take a path on the right.
(7) At the end, cross a stream over a small bridge made of branches (take care). Then turn left and follow the stream.
(8) At the end, cross the D21 (be careful) and follow it to the right, passing under the railway bridge (built in 1872 to Gustave Eiffel's plans). When the street turns right, continue straight ahead, as close as possible to the river. Follow the Promenade des Docteurs Mattrais and walk along the Vienne on your left. Further on, cross the road to reach the Place Jeanne d'Arc car park (S/E).
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