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    Amboise

    France

    Amboise

    CityCulture

    The old royal town of Amboise is situated on the south bank of the Loire, below the Château d'Amboise. It is known as the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his final years in the nearby Clos Lucé.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. France
    7. Loire Valley (Vallée de la Loire)
    9. Amboise
    The old royal town of Amboise is situated on the south bank of the Loire, below the Château d'Amboise. It is known as the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his final years in the nearby Clos Lucé.

    Sights in Amboise

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Tour Garçonnet

    1Tour Garçonnet

    The Tour Garçonnet belongs to the Château royal d'Amboise and stands on the west side of the complex overlooking the Loire. In the 18th century, the Duke of Penthièvre had an octagonal, Chinese-style pavilion erected on the tower, a fashion at the French noble court then.The tower is part of the castle tour; there is no separate ticket. From the castle's terraces, you can see it along with the river and Amboise's old town.
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    2France Intense

    France Intense is an Amboise-based wine tour provider that has organized guided tours for small groups of up to eight people since 2003. The program includes day tours to the Châteaux of Chenonceau and Chambord with wine tastings at local wineries. Tours depart from Amboise and are conducted in their private minivan with local expert guides. Advance booking is required.
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    3Guillaume and Mathieu PLOU

    Plou et Fils is a family winery in Chargé, a few kilometers east of Amboise, today run by Guillaume and Mathieu Plou. The family boasts a winemaking tradition dating back to 1508. They produce wines from the Touraine Amboise appellation, such as single-varietal Côt (Malbec) and Chenin Blanc, as well as Touraine wines from Gamay, Cabernet, and Sauvignon, and Crémant de Loire.In the tasting room, you can sample the wines and, upon request, visit the cellar carved into the tufa stone. A marked circular path of about an hour leads through the vineyards above the estate, with information panels along the way.
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    Amboise

    4Amboise

    Das Château d'Amboise thront majestätisch über der Loire und ist ein bedeutendes Zeugnis der französischen Renaissance. Hier residierten Könige wie Karl VIII. und Franz I., und Leonardo da Vinci verbrachte auf Einladung des Königs seine letzten Lebensjahre in der Nähe. Du erkundest die königlichen Gemächer, die beeindruckende Kapelle Saint-Hubert, die da Vincis Grab beherbergt, und die weitläufigen Gartenanlagen. Von den Terrassen genießt du einen malerischen Blick auf den Fluss und die umliegende Landschaft. Unser Tipp: Besuche das Schloss am frühen Morgen, um die größten Menschenmassen zu meiden und die ruhige Atmosphäre zu genießen. Ein hervorragender Fotospot bietet sich vom Ufer der Loire aus.
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    Hubertus-Kapelle

    5Hubertus-Kapelle

    The Hubertus Chapel (Chapelle Saint-Hubert) at Château d'Amboise is primarily Leonardo da Vinci's burial place. This small Flamboyant Gothic chapel was built in the late 15th century under King Charles VIII. Its portal's delicate stone carvings depict scenes from Saint Hubertus's legend, patron saint of hunters. Inside are stained-glass windows and a simple tombstone for Leonardo, whose presumed remains were transferred in 1874. Our Tip: Visit the chapel early after the castle opens, or late afternoon when less crowded. A terrace by the chapel offers Loire views.
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    City walks in Amboise

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Amboise: In the Footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci and Hidden Treasures

    Set out on a thematically and geographically unique walk that leads you, away from the well-known royal history, to the fascinating haunts of Leonardo da Vinci and the mysterious cave dwellings of Amboise. Experience new perspectives on the town and delve into its hidden sides.

    ~2 Std. 45 Min.
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    Stops (6)

    Dining & Drinks

    Deletang Stéphane

    Restaurant in 17 Quai Charles Guinot.
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    La Fourchette

    Café in 9 Rue Malebranche.
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    La Breche

    Restaurant in 26 Rue Jules Ferry rive droite.
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    Restaurant Le Clos d'Amboise

    Restaurant in 27 Rue Rabelais.
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    La Scaleta Restaurant Pizzeria

    Restaurant in 6-7 Quai du Général de Gaulle.
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    Food and Drink

    Amboise is small and well-supplied. Touraine's cuisine features river fish, goat cheese and vegetables, with regional wines.

    Wines from Montlouis and Vouvray

    Both areas lie directly opposite the river and work with Chenin Blanc. The cellars are carved into the tuff and are self-cooling.

    Sainte-Maure de Touraine

    The elongated goat cheese with a central straw comes from the region and bears a Protected Designation of Origin.

    River fish with Beurre blanc

    Pike-perch and pike from the Loire are classically served with Nantais butter sauce.

    Market on Sunday morning

    The riverside market is one of the Touraine's largest, bringing together producers from across the region.

    Amboise: Regal History and Renaissance Heritage

    Amboise is located at an old Loire crossing, its development closely linked to the French Crown. The city was shaped primarily in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, when the court resided here.The Château d'Amboise stands on a rocky spur above the town. Originally a medieval fortress, it was converted and expanded into a royal residence under Charles VIII, Louis XII, and Francis I, combining late Gothic elements with early Renaissance forms.A central part of the city's history is Leonardo da Vinci, who lived at Clos Lucé from 1516 until his death in 1519, at the invitation of Francis I. The house today exhibits his living quarters and models based on his designs; his tomb lies in the Château's Saint-Hubert Chapel.In the surrounding area, cave dwellings and wine cellars carved into the tuff stone, known as troglodyte structures, define the landscape of the slopes.

    Exploring locally

    Amboise is compact; you can explore its historic center and the Loire riverbanks on foot. The train station is on the north bank, about a 20-minute walk from the château, and offers regional train connections to Tours, Blois, and Orléans. For trips to the surrounding châteaux, a rental car is the most flexible option. Alternatively, local buses and taxis are available, and the Loire à Vélo cycle route leads directly through the town.

    Accommodations in Amboise

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    Campgrounds in Amboise

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      • 2France Intense4 days
      • 3Guillaume and Mathieu PLOU5 days
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    Nearby

    Loire Valley (Vallée de la Loire)

    Loire Valley (Vallée de la Loire)

    The Loire Valley, between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. The region is known for its châteaux (often numbering over 300), its gardens, and its wide river landscapes.Its moniker, the "Garden of France," points to its fruit and vegetable cultivation, along with wine regions from Sancerre to Muscadet, and a cuisine heavily reliant on regional products.
    Chenonceau

    Chenonceau

    The Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley spans the River Cher with its gallery. Its history is closely linked to influential women like Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici, hence its nickname "Château des Dames". A visit includes the furnished rooms, the gallery over the water, and several gardens.
    Centre-Val de Loire

    Centre-Val de Loire

    The Centre-Val de Loire region stretches from Chartres in the north to Berry in the south. Its heart is the Loire Valley with its châteaux and gardens, the section of which between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also features forests like the Sologne, wine regions from Sancerre to Vouvray, and a cuisine with goat cheese, game, and river fish.
    Tours

    Tours

    Tours is a vibrant university city on the Loire and an excellent starting point for exploring the châteaux of the Touraine. Experience the city's history in the Old Town, especially around Place Plumereau with its half-timbered houses and café terraces. The Gothic Saint-Gatien Cathedral is known for its stained-glass windows. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is located right next door in the former Bishop's Palace. In the evenings, the terraces at Place Plumereau fill up. Spring and autumn are ideal for exploring the Old Town without large crowds.
    Blois

    Blois

    Blois is located on the north bank of the Loire and was one of the most important residences of the French kings in the 15th and 16th centuries.The central Château Royal de Blois combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Classicism around one courtyard.The winding old town features half-timbered houses and the Cathédrale Saint-Louis, which was largely rebuilt after a storm at the end of the 17th century.Opposite the castle, the Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin is dedicated to the history of magic.April, May, or September are ideal for the old town, when fewer visitors are around.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI