The main square on the eastern side of the old town is named for Joan of Arc, with the inevitable equestrian statue at its centre. Most of the time it is a quiet open space lined with plane trees and a couple of cafés.
The reason to time a visit here is the Thursday morning market, when producers from across the Chinonais set up stalls under the trees: goat's cheese from the surrounding farms, rillons and rillettes, fruit, vegetables, bread, and a row of wine stalls selling Chinon by the bottle and on tap. It is one of the better small-town markets in the Loire and worth building a stop around. Starts around 8 and packs up by 1 pm.