THINGS TO DO IN Amboise: 1-DAY ITINERARY

Amboise is a delightful town lying on the banks of the Loire River in the Loire Valley, famous for its chateaux and wineries. While you may want to explore the region, don’t ignore the town as there are three magnificent chateaux to explore, including the spectacular Chateau d’Amboise and the last home of the famous Leonardo da Vinci, Château du Clos Luce. The Old Town is charming, and it is worth exploring its cobblestoned alleyways. Don’t miss visiting the beautiful churches and chapels, including the Chapelle Saint-Hubert where da Vinci is buried.

We have prepared a one-day itinerary for you which takes in the town's highlights and have suggested day trips from Amboise if you have more time to spend in the Loire Valley.



Day 1

Morning: Tour de l’Horloge

Begin your day in the mediaeval Old Town of Amboise where you will find the 15th-century clock tower. It is a magnificent piece of architecture and was declared a historic monument in 1933. It has two storeys and a hexagonal bell tower. It is built on the top of an old city gate, some of which can still be seen at the bottom of the tower.



Église Saint-Florentin

A two-minute walk takes you to the Eglise Saint-Florentin which Louis XI commissioned in the 15th century. It was restored in the 19th century and is an impressive building, mixing Gothic and Renaissance styles. Although the stained-glass windows were wrecked during WWII, modern replacements have been created by Max Ingrand, a French artist especially known for his work with stained-glass windows. The church contains some beautiful religious sculptures and paintings and you can climb the tower for fantastic views of the town and the countryside surrounding Amboise.



L'ile d’Or

A seven-minute walk will take you to the island, L'ile d’Or, or Gold Island. You have to cross the Pont du Marechal Leclerc to get to this beautiful setting and once there, you will be rewarded with fantastic views of the town, in particular, the Château Royal d’Amboise. There are a few cafes and bars on the island so grab a coffee before heading to your next stop.



Château Royal d’Amboise

The Chateau Royal d’Amboise is one of the highlights of the town and is a mere nine-minute walk from the island. It is located 40 metres above the river, so it offers wonderful views. The chateau was built in the 15th century and was the home of King Charles VIII and Anne de Bretagne and also used by King Francois I. The style of architecture is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance and there is some Italian influence. When you tour the chateau, you will see sculpted vaulted ceilings, intricately designed fireplaces, and beautiful wooden furniture. Take time to wander around the gardens after you have seen the inside of the chateau as they are beautiful. They are formally arranged with symmetrical lawns and paths and clipped box balls.



Chapelle Saint Hubert

The chapel is right by the wall of the chateau and was built between 1491 and 1496 in the Gothic style. It is small but impressive. The facade recounts the story of Saint Hubert who lived in the seventh and eighth centuries and was the first bishop of Lieges. However, most people come here to see the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci who died in Amboise in his last home, Château du Clos Lucé.

By this time, you will be ready for lunch and there are plenty of restaurants close to the Chateau d’Amboise.



Day 1, morning - Amboise Tour Map


Afternoon: Château du Clos Lucé

The chateau is around an 11-minute walk from the Chateau d’Amboise. It was the last home of Leonardo da Vinci who lived there for three years before he died. It was built towards the end of the 15th century and is surrounded by a beautiful six-hectare park which showcases some of da Vinci’s creations like a multi-barrelled gun and a paddle boat. Translucent images of his paintings are hung on the trees, including a massive Mona Lisa. It is a place where you can spend an hour or two, but you should also go into his chateau to see a reconstruction of his studio and some of his manuscripts and sketches. You may want to hold out for lunch until here as the on-site restaurant, Auberge du Prieure serves Renaissance dishes and there is also a creperie.



Château Gaillard

A 10-minute walk takes you to Chateau Gaillard which was built at the end of the 15th century for King Charles VIII. It has recently been renovated, a project taking five years, so you will find it in pristine condition. The house's architectural style is Italian Renaissance as the King had just returned from Italy and was captivated by the country. Inside the chateau, you will find reconstructed rooms filled with 15th and 16th-century furniture. Everything is luxurious and colourful.

Having toured the chateau, you should explore the garden, which was the first Renaissance garden to be created in France. There are seven beautiful, terraced paths, a rose garden, a vegetable garden, an orchard, and a goat meadow. Also in the garden are statues to admire, a 15th-century dovecote, a Gallo-Roman Spring, and the Orangerie which houses 200 orange and lemon trees of 70 different species. Finally, there are ancient troglodyte caves to explore.




Day 1, afternoon - Amboise Tour Map


Other Things To Do In Amboise

  • Musee de l’Hotel de Ville: The Musee de l’Hotel de Ville is housed in a 16th-century building and recounts the town’s history and that of the wider Loire Valley through a series of exhibitions. The great thing is that it’s free to get in. However, it isn’t open every day and hours vary, so check online to see if it’s open during your stay.


  • Caves Ambacia: If you enjoy wine and would like to taste local products, head to Caves Ambacia, a 15-minute walk from the town centre. It isn’t a vineyard but cellars, storing wine. The cellars are 500 years old and were carved out of the cliff face by hand. You can take a self-guided tour of the cellars for free, but by paying a nominal charge, you can take a guided tour and taste the delicious wines. There is a lovely terrace overlooking the Loire where you can enjoy the tasting. Cave Ambacia also serves hot and cold drinks and food is on offer.


  • Marche Hebdomadaire: To get a real sense of life in Amboise, head to the market where you can mix with the locals. It is held on Friday and Sunday mornings. On Fridays, there are 90 stalls, and on Sundays, 200. There is a wide variety of products on offer, including fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, baked goods, flowers, local wines, crafts, and clothes.


  • Pagode de Chanteloup: This amazing pagoda is on the outskirts of Amboise and is all that is left of the palace of the Duke of Choiseul. It was built in 1775 and pulled down in 1823. The pagoda has 16 columns and 16 pillars, and each of the seven floors is a dome. Climb the 149 steps for 360-degree views of the town and the Loire Valley. The pagoda sits on 14 hectares of parkland where there is an ornamental lake for boat rides, a Chinese garden, and wooden outdoor games.


  • Chapelle Saint Joseph: This tiny Gothic chapel on a hill offers beautiful views of Amboise. However, this is not all. Go inside and admire the stunning stained-glass windows and the elaborate wood carvings.


  • Loire Valley Balloon Rides: Take a hot air balloon ride over the Loire Valley with Loire et Montgolfière who have been offering tours since 2004 and know the area well. You will have beautiful views of natural landscapes, quaint towns and villages, and some of the beautiful chateaux in the area. After the flight, you will be treated to wine, cheese, charcuterie, and sweet treats.


  • Statue of Leonardo da Vinci: Leonardo da Vinci had many connections with Amboise, including it being his last hometown. There is a bronze statue of him on the Ile d’Or, the little island in the Loire where it runs through Amboise. It commemorates his life and shows him in a reclining position looking at the Château Royal d’Amboise.



Day Trips From Amboise

  • Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire: This château is 21 km east of Amboise and takes about 25 minutes to get there by car. It was originally founded in the 10th century but was rebuilt in the 15th century. The house is magnificent, and you can tour elaborately decorated bedrooms, reception rooms, the Council Chamber, and guard rooms. It has a large spiral staircase, typical of Renaissance architecture. However, the highlight of the chateau is the land surrounding it. It has 13 permanent gardens and 24 which change each year around a specific theme. You can spend some time exploring and then have a bit of lunch in the cafe which is housed in a greenhouse. The chateau hosts a garden festival from late April until early November.


  • Château de Chenonceau: Chateau de Chenonceau is 31 km southeast of Amboise. You could easily spend all day here as there is a fine dining restaurant on-site, the Orangerie. The house was built in the Renaissance style in the 16th century and spans the Cher River. It was extended later with a gallery built over the river. Take your time exploring the house as there are many paintings and tapestries to admire as well as a chapel with stunning stained-glass windows. Wander around the beautiful gardens and have fun in the labyrinth.


  • Château de Villandry: This chateau lies 32 km southwest of Amboise and was built in the 16th century in the Renaissance style. However, the changes made inside the chateau in the 18th century reflect a more classical style. The stars of the show are the superb ornamental gardens created between 1908 and 1918, the most spectacular being the vegetable garden. Here, vegetables have been used to create a colourful display. The gardens are on three levels, the top housing the water gardens, the middle, the formal ornamental gardens, and the bottom, the vegetable garden. Every year, 115,000 new flowers and vegetables are planted.


  • Château de Blois: Chateau de Blois is one of the richest castles in the Loire Valley and lies 38 km east of Amboise. Building began in the 13th century, but it was the work completed in the 15th and 16th centuries that stands out. The Renaissance architecture is beautiful and innovative, especially the exterior spiral staircase commissioned by Francois I. The inside of the chateau is spectacular with lavishly decorated apartments and sculptures from mythology. Catherine de Medici’s room is one of the highlights with its coffered ceiling and interlaced monograms. The chateau houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Blois which has a spectacular collection of paintings and sculptures. The timescale of the works ranges from the Renaissance until the late 19th century and artists include Ingres, Bouche, and Rubens. Every evening from spring until autumn there is a sound and light show on the facade of the chateau. It is spectacular and tells the history of the estate.


  • Chateau de Valmer: Chateau de Valmer is 21 km to the northeast of Amboise. Most of the building was destroyed in a fire in 1948 but the Renaissance gardens remain and are well worth visiting. The vegetable garden is particularly stunning with its 3,500 varieties of vegetables and herbs. In addition, you can explore the 60-hectare walled park, 35 of which is a vineyard. Enjoy tasting the wines which are produced on-site.


  • Château d’Azay-le-Rideau: 25 km southwest of Amboise is Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau. It is built on an island on the River Indre surrounded by an 8-hectare park designed in the 19th century. The chateau was built in the 16th century and has a grand Renaissance staircase. The rooms are lavishly decorated and there are many paintings and tapestries for you to admire.


  • Château de Chambord: Chateau de Chambord is 78 km northeast of Amboise and is worth the longer journey. It is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley and is in the biggest enclosed forest in the country. Commissioned by King Francois I in the 16th century, it was built in the Renaissance style inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. It has revolutionary elements for the time, such as a double staircase and ornate fireplaces. Some of the rooms have been reconstructed to look as they did back in the 16th century while others have themes relating to the history of the castle.


  • Chateau de Valencay: The Chateau de Valencay, built in the 16th century, is 62 km southeast of Amboise and was eventually the home of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, one of Napoleon’s ministers. It is set in a park of 50 hectares with forests and gardens decorated with sculpted hedges and water features. As the park is so vast, you can take an electric cart to explore the 4 km route. The house is filled with period furniture, paintings, and sculptures and is a mixture of Renaissance and Classical styles. Talleyrand-Penrod had a theatre built in 1819 which even now puts on shows. During the summer, there are also performances in the kitchen replicating what life was like for servants back in the 19th century.


  • Tours: Tours is a city 52 km to the west of Amboise, lying on the River Loire. It is a beautiful city with a stunning cathedral as well as museums such as the Musee des Beaux-Arts housing over 1,000 pieces of artwork, and the Musee Histoire Naturelle de Tours which children will love as it has collections of both stuffed animals and live reptiles. There is an Old Town to discover and many green spaces where you can relax, as well as a great selection of restaurants and cafes.


  • Blois: Blois is 35 km northeast of Amboise. It has a lovely Old Town with half-timbered buildings and grand Renaissance houses. There are two art museums to explore, The Fondation du Doute, which houses contemporary art from the 1960s and 1970s and the Musee des Beaux-Art featuring paintings, sculptures, and tapestries from the 16th to 19th centuries. The Gothic Cathedrale Saint Louis has beautiful stained-glass windows while the Eglise Saint-Vincent is a perfect example of Baroque architecture.


  • Château de Montpoupon: The Château de Montpoupon is 29 km south of Amboise and is a private castle which has been owned by the same family since 1857. You can visit the King’s chamber, the dining room, the private chambers, and the kitchen. The kitchen is particularly interesting as it has a 19th century stove with a mini oven, cheese moulds, and a plate warmer. There is also a massive collection of 150 copper saucepans. Take time to have a stroll around the gardens which are beautiful. Halfway along the forest path is a pond which reflects the chateau.


  • Chateau de Montresor: Chateau de Montresor is 47 m south of Amboise and is made up of two chateaux, a mediaeval castle which is in ruins and within the walls, a 19th-century chateau. It was owned by a rich Polish immigrant who filled the chateau with a collection of Polish paintings depicting the history of his country. Take a tour of the chateau and then visit the park where you will find statues of people from Polish history.


  • Musée Balzac - Château de Saché: This Renaissance chateau, 57 km southwest of Amboise, is now a museum honouring Balzac, a French playwright and novelist who wrote many of his works here. As well as seeing his room with his personal objects and manuscripts, you can visit his personal library. There is also a collection of sculptures by Auguste Rodin and temporary exhibitions are held, as well as writing workshops and lectures.


  • Château De Bourdaisière: This chateau is a hotel 15 km from Amboise. Visitors can enjoy the Tomato Conservatory with 785 varieties of tomatoes, contemporary gardens with 400 types of dahlias, and a 70-hectare forest park. It is on the Loire a Velo route so you can enjoy cycling here as well.


  • Château De Nitray: The Chateau De Nitray is a winery with 10 hectares of vines in the centre of the Touraine wine region 13 km south of Amboise. It offers wine tastings with cheeses and charcuterie, wine games, cellar visits, and oenological workshops. It is advisable to book your visit in advance.


  • Fougères Sur Bièvre Castle: This chateau, 35 km east of Amboise, was built in the 15th century and served as a fortress during the 100 Years War. Afterwards, it was transformed into a grand chateau, and you can now visit the many rooms including the stunning dining room and the chapel. You will see beautiful frescoes, tapestries, and period furniture, as well as weapons and armour. The chateau is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architectural style, and the gardens are stunning, with fountains, flowerbeds, and beautifully clipped hedges.



Things To Do With Kids In Amboise

  • Parc des Mini Châteaux: Your children will love this attraction, and you will too. The Parc des Mini Chateaux is two-hectare park housing 40 miniature Loire Valley chateaux reproduced on a 1.25 scale. Each chateau is surrounded by a beautiful garden and has an information board written in language children will understand. Other attractions in the park include mini mechanical horses, a mini-car carousel, a bouncy castle, a playground, and a giant chess set.


  • Chateau de Valencay: We have already mentioned this chateau but there are additional attractions there that children will enjoy. These include a labyrinth, a mini-farm, and a deer park.


  • ZooParc de Beauval: This zoo is 41 km south of Amboise and is home to 800 species with 10,000 animals on show from all over the world. Animals include the African elephant, cheetahs, Western Lowland gorillas, hippos, lions, arctic wolves, and the rare Sumatran tiger. Explore the different territories such as The Great South American Aviary, The Land of the Lions, and The Asiatic Plains. It is easy to spend a few hours exploring the zoo.


  • Château d'Ussé: 70 km west of Amboise is Chateau d’Usse. It will entertain younger children as it has a collection of wax dolls and life-size mannequins wearing period clothes. The highlight, however, is the exhibition retelling the fairytale of the Sleeping Beauty. The writer, Charles Perrault was inspired to write the story when he visited the chateau.


  • Château des Enigmes: This chateau used to be called Chateau de Rocheux but is now a leisure park called the Chateau des Enigmes. It is 68 km north of Amboise and offers children a giant treasure hunt with 21 games. The treasure hunt lasts for around three hours, but there is more for the kids to enjoy, such as hanging nets and an indoor play area.


  • Château de Cheverny: This is another child-friendly chateau which lies 43 km east of Amboise. Inside the chateau, there are two life-size Lego displays depicting famous paintings, a big display of armour, and two children’s bedrooms decked as they would have been in the 19th century. In the study, your kids will love the big mechanical dog and outside they can negotiate the maze. There is also an exhibition about the comic book character, Tintin and at 5 p.m., you can watch the pack of hounds being fed.


  • Grand Aquarium de Touraine: Just 7 km west of Amboise is the largest freshwater aquarium in the country. It houses 360 species with 5,000 fish, reptiles, and amphibians in 80 aquariums. There are three ecosystems to explore, Tropical Fresh Waters, The Fresh Waters of the Loire, and The Waters of the Indo-Pacific Seas. Highlights include the shark tunnel, carp touch pool, and the reptile nursery.


  • Canoe Company Chenonceaux: The canoe company offers tours for the whole family. It is just 17 km south of the town and has staff who are great with children. You get a briefing and can then enjoy a scenic trip downstream underneath the arches of the Chateau de Chenonceau.


  • Youpimom Theme Park: Youpimom Theme Park is 7 km away from Amboise and is suitable for children aged up to 12. The park is 2,200 m2 and offers 123 attractions, including the Haunted House and an interactive show.


  • Maison de la Magie: In Blois, the Maison de Magie offers a magical experience for the whole family. You need to book in advance to ensure that you get in. The highlight is, of course, the magic show, but the museum houses 700 objects, some of which are interactive. There are optical games, mirrors, and illusions. Watch out for the dragons appearing from the windows.


  • Petit Train Touristique D’Amboise: This isn’t a real train but a vehicle that looks like a train and runs on the road. It is fun for the whole family and travels through the historic centre of Amboise. You will pass by sights such as Chateau Royal D’Amboise, Chateau Clos Luce, Château Gaillard, and Eglise St. Florentin. It takes an hour and there is commentary telling you all about Amboise and the places you pass.


  • Conservatoire de la Confiserie: This attraction will delight children of all ages. Not only is it a museum showcasing sweet-making machines and period posters, but it also has demonstrations showing how the sweets are made. The owner is Nicholas Viallat who has a collection of antique machines which he uses to make the sweets. After visiting the museum and watching a demonstration, head to the sweet shop where you can buy tasty treats such as nougat, berlingots, and lollipops.


  • Chocolate Workshop At Chocolaterie Max Vauché: This Chocolaterie transforms chocolate beans into delicious chocolates such as pralines. It offers a chocolate workshop for children aged from six to 12. They will make chocolate lollipops, coat marshmallows in chocolate, and make mini-mediants. The whole family can also take a tour of the factory.


  • La Magnanerie - Troglodyte Site: La Magnanerie is a set of cave dwellings which are still lived in by people known as troglodytes. You can’t visit the caves on your own, but you can take a guided tour with one of the troglodytes. Also to be seen here is a silkworm farm.



Wineries Near Amboise

  • Château de Mont Domaine: Chateau de Mont Domaine is 6 km north of Amboise in Nazelles-Negron. It has 17 hectares of vines and produces 100% natural wines. The winery offers a free wine tasting of red, white, rose, and sparkling wines. Booking is required.


  • Plou & Fils: Plou & Fils is 5 km northeast of Amboise. It grows a variety of grapes, Chenin, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Gamay. You can take a self-guided tour of the vineyard and then a guided cellar visit with wine tasting. The great thing is that it’s all free.


  • Domaine La Grange Tiphaine: This winery is just a five-minute drive away from Amboise. The vineyard covers 15 hectares, and biodynamic practices are used to produce the wines. Red, dry white, sparkling and sweet wines are produced, and you can have a free tasting. You must book in advance.


  • Le Château de Fontenay: Le Chateau de Fontenay is 13 km south in the town of Biere. It is a very old vineyard, having been established in 1680. The vineyard covers 15 hectares, and the winery offers a tasting of between four and six wines for a small charge. Red, white, rose, sparkling, and sweet wines are on offer.


  • Domaine des Pierrettes: This winery is in Rilly-sur-Loire, 13 km from Amboise. It grows Sauvignon, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Cot grapes and offers a tour of the winery and a tasting of red, white, sparkling, rose, and sweet wines for a charge.


  • Domaine Thierry Cosme: This winery is in Noizay, an 11-minute drive away from Amboise. It offers a tour of the estate and a tasting of dry wine, half dry, sweet, and traditionally produced Brut.



Golf Courses Near Amboise

  • Golf de la Gloriette: This golf club is in nearby Tours and welcomes visitors to their 9-hole and 18-hole courses. There is also a driving range, and you can indulge in a golf lesson.


  • Golf de Fleuray-Amboise: Golf de Fleuray-Amboise offers a 9-hole course of 2,091 metres which is approved by the French Golf Federation. It is a little unusual in that it has synthetic greens and tees, but this won’t affect your play. Everybody is welcome to use the Clubhouse where you can enjoy drinks and food with a fantastic view of the course.



Racecourse Near Amboise

  • Hippodrome de Tours: The Tours Racecourse has been around for 150 years. It is set in 17 hectares and has a 1,300-metre-long track. There are three race days every year so check online if there is one when you are visiting Amboise.



Where To Eat In Amboise

Amboise has many eateries so you will be spoiled for choice. If you want a cosy brasserie, you won’t go far wrong, but if you want to eat in style, there are plenty of fine dining establishments as well. There is also a plethora of Italian restaurants in town if you fancy a change from traditional French cooking. Let’s take a look at a few of the restaurants.



Fine Dining

  • Lion D’Or: Lion D’Or is a sophisticated restaurant on Quai Charles Guinot offering refined cuisine. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but open on other days for both lunch and dinner, with a special set lunch menu from Wednesdays to Fridays. There are vegetarian and vegan menus in addition to the standard menu. If you are a meat-eater, you will enjoy the hay-smoked fillet of beef and shallots preserved in red wine and spices, served with shitake ketchup and gravy. The desserts are interesting and unusual such as creamed cauliflower with vanilla and served with white chocolate ganache and coconut ice cream on rice pudding.


  • L’Alliance: L’Alliance is a fine dining restaurant on Rue Joyeuse. It focuses on fresh and seasonal ingredients and original flavours. Starters include mackerel served with tomato tart, courgettes, and tapenade. Mains include chicken supreme and fish of the day with shrimp risotto.



Cosy Restaurants

  • Brasserie Hippeau: The Brasserie Hippeau is a comfortable and friendly restaurant along Rue Francois. It has three eating spaces, including an upstairs mezzanine with a lovely view of the Loire. Starters include asparagus and parmesan, mains, small chitterling sausage with mustard sauce and French fries, and desserts, chocolate mousse.


  • L’Epicerie: L’Epicerie on Pl. Michel Debre is a family restaurant located in a 14th-century building at the foot of the Chateau Royal d’Amboise. The food is excellent, and the staff are accommodating and helpful. They serve traditional French dishes such as a cassoulet of snails with aniseed butter and duck breast with Chinon red wine confit and cranberries. Vegetarians don’t need to feel left out as a vegetarian burger is on the menu.



Italian Restaurants

  • La Scala Restaurant Pizzeria: L Scala is on Quai du General de Gaulle and offers an excellent Italian menu. The pizzas are delicious and are cooked in a wood-fired oven. Also on the menu are antipasti, pasta dishes, risotto, and salads. Desserts are typically Italian as well, such as panna cotta and tiramisu. They have vegan dishes on offer, including a vegan pizza and there are set menus.


  • Via Roma: Via Roma, in the Pl. Michel Debre is comfortable and friendly. There is outdoor seating for warm summer days and evenings. They serve dishes such as linguine carbonara and tagliatelle with tomato and burrata. They have vegetarian choices, but not vegan.



Where To Stay In Amboise

  • Le Manoir Les Minimes is a five-star hotel in Amboise, offering elegant accommodations, modern amenities, stunning views of the Loire River and a garden . It is located near attractions like Château d'Amboise and Clos Lucé, the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci. 


  • Le Clos d’Amboise: This four-star hotel is in the town centre, just 1 km from Chateau de Clos Luce. It is set in a beautiful 17th-century mansion with a big, landscaped garden. The hotel has excellent facilities including a sauna and a heated outdoor swimming pool. The rooms are refined and have a minibar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. Enjoy a continental buffet breakfast either indoors or on the terrace in the summer. The restaurant serves regional dishes for lunch and dinner, and you can also enjoy a drink in the bar.


  • Hotel Spa - Au Charme Rabelaisian: Another four-star hotel, the Hotel Spa is in an 18th-century building in the heart of the Old Town. The facilities here are excellent. The hotel offers a wellness centre with a sauna, hot tub, and a heated outdoor swimming pool. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and the rooms are traditional with antique furniture. They have bathrooms of a high standard with a jet shower and bath and each room has a coffee maker. Continental breakfast is on offer and there are gluten-free options.


  • Hotel Bellevue: Hotel Bellevue is three-star and is in the centre of town, just 50 metres from the Chateau Royale d’Amboise. The rooms are soundproofed, ensuring that you get a good night’s sleep, and have a TV, free Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom. The hotel offers breakfast either in the breakfast room or on the terrace and has both hot and cold options. It doesn’t offer other meals, but there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance.


  • Le 31 B & B Amboise Centre: This three-star hotel is in the centre of town, 700 metres from Château Royal d’Amboise. The rooms have excellent facilities, including air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a coffee machine, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, bathrobes, a hairdryer, and complimentary toiletries. A continental breakfast buffet is on offer which has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.



Best Time To Visit Amboise

The best time to visit Amboise is in the summer. July and August are the warmest months when temperatures average the mid-20s. May and June are also warm, but there is a lot of rain. If you don’t mind this, you will avoid the crowds of the summer school holidays. October can be pleasant, but November, December, January, and February are cold, with temperatures not getting much above 9C. It also often rains in December.



Festivals In Amboise

  • The Amboise Prophecy: The Amboise Prophecy is held in July and August and is a festival of 18 sound and light shows created by Damien Fontaine, a young renowned composer and director. The shows last for an hour and a quarter and hundreds of actors interact with images and optical illusions. Horses and other animals take part with cooperation from the ZooParc de Beauval.


  • Christmas Festivities At The Chateau du Clos Luce: The Chateau du Clos Luce is beautifully decorated for Christmas from 1st December until 5th January. An actor portraying Leonardo de Vinci wanders the house chatting with visitors about his life. The house also holds Christmas craft workshops and there are horse-drawn carriage rides with hot chocolate or mulled wine in the grounds.


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