Editing Chinon (section)

==Geography==
Chinon is located in the heart of the ''[[Val de Loire]]'', 47&nbsp;km (29 miles) southwest of [[Tours]] and 305&nbsp;km (189 miles) south west of [[Paris]]. It extends on both the banks of the [[Vienne (river)|Vienne]], with the historic town mainly on the northern bank, at the foot of the medieval castle.<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Chinon |volume=6 |page=235}}</ref>

Chinon's importance derives in great part from its geographical position, located on the Vienne just before it joins the [[Loire]]. From prehistoric times, rivers acted as the principal trade routes, and the Vienne not only joins the fertile southern plains of the [[Poitou]] and the city of [[Limoges]], but joining the Loire, gives access to both the seaport in Nantes and the [[Île-de-France]] Paris region, thus providing not only a natural protective barrier, but a source of wealth.

The natural rocky outcrop that dominates the northern bank provides not only a natural fort and defensive position; it also acts as protection from flooding.