For lovers of gardens and the Italian Renaissance, don't miss Château Gaillard. This exceptional estate, which has undergone 5 years of renovation, is a real gem to be discovered for its lush nature and rich history.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to Château Gaillard inAmboise.
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 a visit to Gaillard Castle worthwhile?
Yes, Château Gaillard is well worth a visit, both for its hushed atmosphere and opulent decor, typical of Rennaisance, and for its incredible green spaces. The estate extends over 15 hectares of park and forest, and offers a fragrant and soothing stroll. A true haven of peace, Château Gaillard is one of Amboise's must-sees, and we recommend that you linger here for a while to take full advantage of its charm and tranquility.
What you can see
The 15th-century castle
Before setting off to explore the magnificent gardens, take time to observe the house. Remarkable features of this 15th-century manor include the square defensive tower housing the spiral staircase, and the medieval courtyard. It was thanks to Charles VIII, King of France (1483-1498), that the Château took on a Rennaissance appearance. Fascinated by the splendor of this movement during his Italian campaigns, he wanted to reproduce it at home in Château Gaillard.
The Château's magnificent interiors
The Château Gaillard will charm you with its opulent, colorful interiors. You'll stroll through a series of reconstructed rooms, richly decorated with period furniture. Each room has its own story to tell, such as the Salon de la Licorne (Unicorn Room), based on the legend of Anne of Brittany's Unicorn, or the Salon Louis XII, with its portrait gallery recounting the reign of this king, whose emblem is the porcupine, for his famous motto: "Qui s'y frotte s'y pique" ("He who rubs it, stings it").
For our part, we loved the cabinet of curiosities, where all sorts of objects are on display (perfume bottles, crystals, masks, etc.), each accompanied by a handwritten presentation card. A delicate touch that adds to the old-fashioned charm of the place! In addition to the refined decor, take the time to admire the collection of polychrome, hand-blown stained glass windows by master glassmakers, with different shimmering illustrations in each room!
Les jardins du Roy
The first Rennaissance-style garden in France, Château Gaillard is the work of Dom Pacello de Mercoliano, the famous botanist monk (1453-1534), who turned it into a veritable Eden. To discover all its secrets, you can follow one of the 7 terraced paths. One of the most striking features of the garden is the group of magnificent parquet floors, in a cross plan, representing the 4 rivers of paradise (wine, water, honey, milk) around the fountain of Youth. Other remarkable features of the garden include the orchard, rose garden, vegetable garden and goat meadow.
In addition to the perfectly structured natural setting, you'll discover other surprises along the way, including magnificent antique statues, pretty bridges, a Gallo-Roman spring, a 15th-century dovecote and the dolphin arch, a reminder of the 16th-century wall that enclosed the gardens.
The Royal Orangery
Located below the Château, the Orangerie, with its 200 lemon and orange trees, is sure to please! It was Charles VIII who built the very first royal orangery. More than just an ornamental attraction, the orangery is also home to some 70 different citrus species, forming a truly edifying conservatory. You'll be able to find your way around thanks to the various labels explaining the species (bergamot, pomelo, etc.) placed in the terracotta pots.
The Mercoliano or citrus counter
Gourmets beware! At the end of the tour, you can shop at the citrus counter, renamed Mercoliano in homage to the monk Pacello. You'll be able to taste and buy a wide range of delicacies, including citrus jams, orange blossom jelly and orange wine. It's the perfect way to extend your visit on a gourmet note!
Fun caves
The estate is also home to several troglodyte caves, such as the bakery and the chapel, but the most fun of all is the Grotte du Diable (Devil's Cave), which has a tiny opening where children can hide, and the Grotte Olfactive (Olfactory Cave), where you can test your senses! Several citrus essential oils are presented for you to guess, making for an immersive visit.
The 15th-century bakery
In this troglodytic bakery, you can appreciate the period restitution made possible by the furniture and the bread oven dug into the rock adjacent to the bakery. Our only regret? Don't let the pretty buns be real!
The "L'épopée des Jardins du Roy" screening room
Take a tour of this small brick building, which houses an exhibition on the figure of Pacello de Mercoliano. This Neapolitan monk, architect of the gardens of three kings of France (Charles VII, Louis XII and François 1er), is considered the greatest gardener of his time, and you'll be able to appreciate his work thanks to this edifying projection.
The age-old forest
We recommend you go beyond the Jardin du Roy and explore the different areas around the 15-hectare estate. In particular, you can take a walk through the age-old forest to recharge your batteries. Finally, getting off the beaten track will give you access to superb viewpoints over Amboise or the gardens. Below the estate, you can also admire the avenue of 180 plane trees, renamed the Cathedral of Green.
The teaching room
In the chapel adjoining the Château, you can finally discover an exhibition retracing the genesis of the 5-year titanic renovation of Chateau Gaillard, which required the involvement of 300 workers and 50 craftsmen (ironworkers, sculptors, ceramists etc.). In the center, you can also appreciate a large scale model of the Château as it was in the 15th century.
Château Gaillard in Amboise: how to get there
Where to find Château Gaillard
- In Amboise, at 29, allée du Pont Moulin
- 7 minutes by car or 20 minutes on foot from downtown
Access by car and parking
Château Gaillard is just 7 minutes from the town of Amboise, which is itself perfectly served by a number of freeways. The establishment has its own secure parking lot, free of charge.
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.
Public transport access
A bus service is offered by the town of Amboise, see here, but you'll be dependent on the timetable. We recommend you come on foot, as it's only a 20-minute walk and very pleasant! Cycling is also a good alternative, as Château Gaillard is on the Loire à Vélo cycle route (website here) and has secure bike racks.
Visiting difficulties
There's no particular difficulty, apart from the 5 hectares you have to cover to see all the different corners of the park. Please note, however, that you will have to climb some stairs to reach the Orangery.
The official website says it's accessible to PRMs.
Visit Château Gaillard: useful tips
Schedules and prices
The site is open every day of the year, from 10am to 6pm.
Prices are as follows: €16 (full price), €13 (7-18 yrs), free (under 7 yrs).
See more info on the official website here.
How long
Allow 1h30 to visit the sumptuous interiors and the entire garden. And don't forget to take a look at the store, which celebrates citrus fruits with a range of jams, liqueurs, cakes and natural cosmetics to take away.
Our advice? Allow a little more time to enjoy the quietness of the "siesta" area in the garden with its many deckchairs. Finally, if you'd like to take a full tour of the adjoining park (5 hectares), this will extend your visit considerably. Various trails are available.
Best moment
Château Gaillard is pleasant all year round! The site remains untouched by tourists, even in summer, despite its considerable interest.
So you can come whenever you like, ideally at snack time to enjoy a sweet break on the estate's terrace.
Note also that orange trees (the most common species in gardens) flower from March to July.
Direction of visit
There's no set direction for the tour. You'll be able to find your way around using the map distributed at reception.
Visiting with children
Although there are no special tour arrangements for children, visiting castles and gardens is interesting even for kids! There's no doubt that discovering the fun caves and animal enclosures will delight your children!
Eating out
On-site catering includes a savoury menu and a selection of sweet products (delicious jams and jellies, fresh juices, sorbets and tasty cakes) featuring citrus fruits! All served on a delightful terrace, ideal for sunny days.
Picnic tables are also available in the garden.
Hotels
As Gaillard Castle is only a 7-minute drive from Amboise, we recommend that you take advantage of the town's varied and pleasant range of hotels.
Here's our selection:
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
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
