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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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