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Amboise is a beautiful town that should be visited slowly, without haste. In addition to the Castle, splendid with a suggestive view over the Valley, you can visit interesting monuments. Furthermore, visit Amboise cannot ignore Chenonceau, not far from here.
For this, we recommend staying at least one night in the city.
VISIT AMBOISE, PART ONE
Photo ©, Wolkenkratzer
Leaving Gare d’Amboise, the center can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot, crossing the Pont du Maréchal Leclerc.
The splendid historic center, and the Castle, show themselves in all their beauty.
In the center of the Loire, the small islet of l’Il d’Or divides the river into two branches. Precisely in this strip of land, you will find the Municipal Camping; a good base for the Loire.
After crossing the bridge, it is the Castle that captures all the attention. Fascinating, evocative and with a truly crazy view. You will have to go up the long access ramp to the terrace. From here, the view over the Loire and the old town is truly magnificent.
The interiors and rooms are also beautiful. Landscaped gardens. In the Chapelle Saint Hubert, a real Gothic jewel, is the tomb of Leinardo Da Vinci.
The Castle is open every day of the year.
All the info on our special page, from this link.
The Michel Debré square, from which the Castle dominates, is a succession of shops and clubs. A little further on, before taking Rue François 1er, a beautiful view shows the Tour de l’Horloge, along Rue Nationale. In the fifteenth century it represented the real main entrance door to the city. With Charles VII it was transformed into a bell tower and, after a public subscription, a clock was installed.
Rue Nationale, is a real shopping street with shops and lots of boulangeries and tea rooms. At Boulay Jean Marc Bertrand Jean-Marc Bertrand, the quality of the products is really good. Further on, L’Ancrée des Artistes, is a good value for money bistro. Super quality, slightly higher prices and slightly longer waiting times for Les Arpents; whoever has been there has been pleasantly satisfied.
Not far away, Saint-Florentin is a beautiful church, historical monuments since 1962. Closed for many years, it was only reopened to the public in 2010. Today, you can admire the neo-Gothic style interior, the stained glass windows by the master Max Ingrid and a holy water stoup, a historic monument since 1907.
Often, temporary exhibitions are hosted.
The Church is open every day of the year, from 10:00 to 19:00. Free entry.
Going entirely down Rue Nationale, you will reach the église Saint-Denis, a church built in the twelfth century, and originally dedicated to pagan worship. The entrance, the sculptures and paintings inside are beautiful.
VISIT AMBOISE, PART TWO
Chateau Clos-Lucé was Leonardo Da Vinci’s last home, a milestone during his visit to Amboise.
You can let yourself be carried away by the genius of Leonardo who, in this very place, spent the last years of his life, from 1516 to 1519. You can visit the splendid park of over 7 hectares and Leonardo’s house, with the bedroom brought back to the origin, a chapel and several rooms.
Photo ©, Nadègevillain
Do not miss the perfect reproductions of his great inventions, perfectly functional, set up in the park. You can really learn all about the genius of Leonardo.
Open every day of the year, except on 25/12 and 01/01.
Opening hours: January, 10: 00-18: 00; February-June, 09: 00-19: 00; July-August, 09: 00-20: 00; September-October: 09: 00-19: 00; November-December, 09: 00-18-00.
The full ticket costs € 18, while reduced for children aged 7 to18, €12.50.
From here, you have to walk for less than 10 minutes on Allée du Pont Moulin to reach Chateau Gaillard, a place not to be missed when visiting Amboise.
An estate of great historical interest, having belonged to the royals. In his prestigious possession, Charles VIII presented his rare eds to visitors
exceptional citrus species.
Moreover, Chateau Gaillard was one of the first Renaissance castles in France.
The Castle is rather small in size, but rather impressive, with recently restored rooms. The estate, moreover, was opened to the public for the first time in 2014.
In the different hectares of the estate, you can walk along the various paths, among scents and colors.
Open every day, Monday to Sunday, from 11am to 6pm.
Only in July and August, every Friday, night guided tour at 10.15 pm. We highly recommend it for the splendid view of the estate, all lit up.
The full fare ticket, with guided tour included, costs €14. Reduced, from 7 to 18 years, 12€. Free for children under 7.
Photo ©, René Cortin
For those wishing to stay in the area, we recommend taking a trip to the Parc des mini-chateaux which, in the two hectares of extension, offers about 40 faithful reproductions of the most important parks of the Loire. All this, created in an area with games and attractions for the little ones.
We are sure that this park will delight both adults and children during your visit to Amboise.
The park is perfectly accessible for people with reduced mobility.
The park is open every day, in summer, from 10:00 to 18:00. In July and August, he asks at 7pm. From October to March, it opens on weekends, with special exceptions.
The rate per adult is €14.50. Children aged 13 to 17 pay €12.50 while children aged 4 to 12 pay €10.50. A BILLET TRIBU is also available at a cost of €55 for 2 adults and up to 3 children under 18.
Free for children up to 4 years old.
The Minipark Castle is located a short distance from the center, about 3500m from the Royal Castle. A good solution could be to arrive by bike; on two wheels you can also get around the park.
Ample parking is also available.
Of course, your visit to Amboise cannot leave out the Château de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful in the area. If the time at your disposal is running out, do not delay and go straight to Chenonceaux.
You have to travel about 13 km to get to your destination.
If you don’t have your own vehicle, we recommend bus line C. Pay attention only to the frequencies, really limited. You will arrive at your destination in about 10 minutes.
The train is not recommended because there are no direct connections; you will have to move in the direction of Tours and then take another train to Chenonceau.