Looking for inspiration for your vacation in the Loire Valley? Wondering why you should go to Amboise?
Bordered by the Loire River, Amboise is not only perfectly situated for visiting the region's Châteaux, but also abounds in heritage treasures. You can choose to visit its majestic sites or stroll through its picturesque town center or peaceful gardens.
In this article, we give you 10 good reasons to discover Amboise and draw your attention to a few points.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Amboise worth a visit?
The answer is yes! The town already boasts 3 Châteaux! The eponymous Château Royal, majestically overlooking the Loire, the Château du Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last home, and the Château Gaillard, with its recreated Italian palace. The choice is yours! We also loved wandering around the town center, where half-timbered houses and cobbled streets create a memorable atmosphere.
Amboise is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, renowned for its vineyards, picturesque landscapes and, of course, its chateaux. Add an enchanted dimension to your stay! This makes the town an ideal starting point for discovering the region's heritage and culinary treasures.
WHERE TO STAY IN Amboise
Downtown
To enjoy the city, its restaurants and castles, we recommend:
- Hotel Le Manoir Saint Thomas - view prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Le Manoir des Minimes - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Au Charme Rabelaisien - prices, pictures and availability
In the countryside around
Charming places nearby. We recommend..:
- Hotel Château du Perreux - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Château de Pray - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Chateau de Nazelles - prices, pictures and availability
Reason 1: For the Château Royal d'Amboise
If you're visiting Amboise, you won't want to miss its magnificent Château. Impressive because of its position 40 metres above the Loire, it offers magnificent views of the river as it meanders along at its feet. Once home to Charles VIII, Anne de Bretagne and François 1er, the château is best known today for the burial of Leonardo da Vinci in 1519.
If its architecture is remarkable, its interiors will also take you on a captivating journey through time! In just a few rooms, the richly decorated rooms showcase the essence of Renaissance craftsmanship: sculpted vaulted ceilings, monumental fireplaces and finely carved wooden furniture.
Book your ticket for a visit to the Château d'Amboise now!
Reason 2: For Leonardo da Vinci's legacy
Impressed by the genius of Leonardo da Vinci? The Château du Clos Lucé is a feast for the eyes, showcasing the many facets of the work of this great Italian painter, architect, scientist and engineer, born in 1452. You'll be able to see the room he occupied until his death, a reconstruction of his studio, sketches and manuscripts in his own hand, and plenty of other immersive surprises to help you understand his life and work.
Book your VIP ticket for the Château du Clos Lucé!
Le Clos Lucé is also worth a visit for its magnificent estate. Designed as an "open-air museum", the park features some forty translucent canvases, representing fragments of Leonardo da Vinci's works, as well as life-size models! Just what you need to understand the scope of Italian genius!
Would you like to combine a visit to Amboise's 2 châteaux? See prices and availability.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Reason 3: For Château Gaillard
In the Châteaux d'Amboise family, we ask for the third! Château Gaillard is probably the least well-known, but perhaps the most original. There's no doubt that you'll be charmed by the interiors, which perfectly recreate the ambience of an Italian "Palazzo". 5 years of restoration have returned the Château to its former prestige. We were impressed by the opulence of the decor, giving the place a hushed, shimmering atmosphere.
Book your ticket to Château Gaillard now!
Then take a step back in time to the Renaissance in the gardens! You can explore the 15 hectares of park and forest, discover a Gallo-Roman spring and admire the view of the Roy's gardens from the belvedere. The visit will be both an enchantment and a sensory experience with the olfactory grotto.
Reason 4: For its cultural heritage
Amboise is home to other eye-catching buildings, such as the Tour de l'Horloge, built in the 15th century and listed as a Monument Historique in 1933.
We particularly liked its slender silhouette and its reassuring presence in the city streets. The Musée - Hôtel Morin, housed in a 16th-century mansion built by Pierre Morin, a wealthy merchant and treasurer to King Louis XII, is also very interesting. Finally, you can discover other elegant and picturesque facades as you stroll through the historic center.
Would you like to combine a visit to Amboise with a royal excursion to the Châteaux of the Loire? Watch this guided tour!
Religious heritage is also in the spotlight in Amboise:
- Saint-Florentin church: listed as a Monument Historique since 1962, its neo-Gothic interior features remarkable stained-glass windows by Max Ingrand.
- La Chapelle Saint Hubert: at the Château d'Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried!
- The Collegiate Church of Saint-Denis: Romanesque in style, standing majestically on its hillside.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on the Loire, register:
Reason 5: For the banks of the Loire
There's nothing like a break in nature after a day of cultural visits! For a bucolic break, simply head to the quays of Amboise for a visit that's as picturesque as it is peaceful. The banks of the Loire, lined with flowers and lush green meadows, create an enchanting tableau while offering a breathtaking view of the city's beauty. The view from the Château Royal d'Amboise overlooking the tranquil waters of the river is, in our opinion, the most beautiful view of any city in the region!
Take a boat tour for the best view!
It's great to stroll along the banks of the Loire, and if you want a little more challenge, you can take the Chemin de Compostelle (see the official website here), which passes through Amboise.
Fancy an unexpected visit? Discover Amboise by segway!
Reason 6: For its children's activities
While all of Amboise's cultural sites offer child-friendly itineraries, you won't want to miss out on the Parc des Mini Châteaux, to really delight your kids! This atypical museum offers visitors the chance to stroll through some of the finest Loire Valley castles, reproduced in scale models, in a green setting. An immersive, fun way to discover the diversity of French architecture! And there are plenty of activities on offer (horse racing, carousel rides, etc.) Article coming soon!
The Aquarium de Touraine (just a 12-minute drive from Amboise) is also an ideal place for an entertaining and educational day out! The site offers a fascinating dive into the wonders of the underwater world, with a wide variety of species on display, not forgetting the educational side! There are a number of ways to understand marine ecosystems and conservation issues.
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Reason 7: For its location in the heart of the Loire Valley
The Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for the beauty of its landscapes, majestic châteaux and vineyards.
Amboise is perfectly situated between all these points of interest:
- 30 minutes from the most beautiful Châteaux of the Loire Valley
- 20min drive from Vouvray vineyards
- Not far from several country footpaths
The town also lies on the legendary Loire à Vélo cycle route(website here). You can also enjoy some great bike rides around the city. Amboise is an ideal base from which to plan your Loire Valley vacation.
Would you like to visit the Château de la Loire in a special way? Discover this excursion departing from Amboise.
Reason 8: For its contemporary sculptures and pagoda
If there's one thing you won't want to miss in Amboise, it's the Pagode de Chanteloup. Built in the 18th century, it completes the Chanteloup estate acquired by the Duc de Choiseul, prime minister of King Louis XV and governor of Touraine. This 44-metre-high "architectural folly" is the only vestige of the château, and offers visitors who are not afraid of the cold a magnificent panoramic view of the town of Amboise! (More info on the official website here).
If you're a fan of contemporary art, you'll be able to visit a number of sculptures hidden away in various corners of the city:
- La Tour d'or blanc, by Jean-Michel Othoniel: to be completed in 2021, this 14-meter-high tower with a pretty lantern in the colors of wine (red, rosé and white) is a tribute to local winemakers. (More info on the artist's official website here)
- Alexander Calder's Crinkly dates from 1969 and was installed in 2022 on the esplanade of Saint-Florentin church. (More info here)
- Max Ernst's fountain "Aux cracheurs, aux drôles, au génie": inaugurated in 1968 on the quays of Charles de Gaulle, it was listed as an historic monument in 1987. It is a tribute to freedom and to Da Vinci's genius. (More information on the Cnap website here)
- Sculpture by Italian artist Amleto Cataldi: depicting Leonardo da Vinci in the guise of an Antique God. You can admire it, enthroned in majesty at 10 Quai François Tissard. For our part, we had fun shooting it from the back, as if contemplating Amboise's tranquility forever.
Reason 9: For its terroir and surrounding vineyards
Amboise will also surprise you with its restaurants! With its emphasis on local produce, the city's culinary offering is rich and there's no shortage of good restaurants. You'll be tempted by the tempting addresses in our dedicated article (to be published shortly).
Wine lovers, you won't be outdone! Proud of its wine reputation, Amboise boasts a varied selection of nectars on its restaurant menus. If you'd like to go further in discovering delicious nectars, check out our article on the 12 best Loire Valley wine route tours!
Many of the city's wineries also offer tastings, including Ambacia, a benchmark in the field: see prices and availability.
And if you want to mix it up, what could be better than a châteaux tour punctuated by wine tastings? Discover this gourmet tour here!
Reason 10: For the nearby Châteaux de La Loire
Nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, Amboise is just a 20-minute drive from numerous châteaux. Discover our selection of the 12 best châteaux around Amboise (photos + tips).
There's something for everyone, from the dazzling gardens of Chaumont-sur-Loire and Château de Valmer to the architectural diversity of Château de Blois and the enchanting elegance of Chenonceau.
Would you like to combine a visit to the Châteaux d'Amboise with one to Chenonceau? We've found the perfect guided tour here!
DISCOVER Amboise
- Things to do in Amboise
- Where to sleep in Amboise: best hotels
- Where to eat in Amboise: best restaurants
- Visit the Château d'Amboise
- Visit the Château du Clos Lucé
- Mini-cake park
- Best castles around Amboise
Some disadvantages of a trip to Amboise
The tourist influx
The towns of the Loire Valley are popular destinations the world over. As the summer season is very busy for tourists, the number of visitors can be quite high. We therefore advise you to make advance reservations at Amboise's restaurants, which are often crowded between castle visits.
The rates
Amboise remains a very affordable town for travelers. Beware, however, of the high season (between May and August), when prices soar. To avoid unpleasant surprises, we recommend booking well in advance.
We prefer the booking platform because it offers a wide choice of accommodations and the calendars are updated in real time.
The weather
When the weather's nice, we recommend that you come and enjoy the town of Amboise, with its magnificent châteaux and parks.
However, the climate remains mild all year round and very pleasant throughout the Loire Valley region, so come whenever you like!
How to get to Amboise
Amboise is located in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. It is accessible by car. To reach the town, take the A10, then the D31 and D751. Take note of your starting point. The city has numerous free parking spaces, which you can find on the official city website here.
Want to rent a car in France? Here's our advice.
The town is also served by train. Getting there takes around 2 hours from Paris and Nantes, and 20 minutes from Tours. You can book your tickets here. Allow a 20-minute walk from the station to the city center. Turn this walk into a stroll and contemplate the banks of the Loire! You can also take advantage of bus tours departing from Paris that include a visit to the Château d'Amboise. Book them now!
Last but not least, it's possible to get to Amboise by bike, as the town is part of the Loire à vélo circuit. The town also offers a discovery tour on a small tourist train. More information on the relevant site here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
