​Amboise, Italian charm on the banks of the Loire

Amboise has all the airs of a royal town with, on the one hand, the majestic castle overlooking the Loire and in which Francis I once lived, and on the other the Château of Clos Lucé, where the great Leonardo da Vinci worked on numerous projects for the king. In Amboise you will discover all the fabulous history of the Châteaux of the river Loire, itself a royal waterway.
 

Amboise, a royal town

The royal château of Amboise and its gardens majestically overlook the left bank of the Loire. A fascinating mix of medieval fortifications and Renaissance design, this fine building dominates the river. From April to September, you can also explore the mysterious underground tunnels and the Minimes tower, the top of which could be reached on horseback!

Royal is the perfect term for describing Amboise. With its pedestrian lanes that are now a charming destination for visitors, the town was once the city of two great historical figures: Francis I and Leonardo da Vinci. The illustrious artist produced several works for the king here.

To gain a sense of the Renaissance genius's breadth of vision, come and see his incredible inventions at the Château of Clos Lucé - Parc Leonardo da Vinci. In the models room, 3D animations will describe how the models work. Nowhere gives a clearer idea of his world than this splendid Renaissance house, showing Leonardo as painter, engineer, architect and musician. And with good reason: it was here that he spent the last three years of his life before he died in 1519. He is now buried in the Saint-Hubert chapel in the Royal Château, surround by splendid stained-glass windows. 

While on the subject of castles, but miniature ones this time, a it is well worth visiting the Parc des mini châteaux, which displays models of the Loire Châteaux on a scale of 1:30.
 

The Loire, the royal river at the heart of Amboise

You will quickly see the close ties this town has with the river as you take a stroll along the banks of the Loire while contemplating the Royal Château of Amboise.

Or, for a splendid view of the Loire Valley, take a short 5 km trip to the Pagoda of Chanteloup. Built by the Duke of Choiseul in 1775, this astonishing and unusually beautiful conical tower is 44 metres tall and has 7 floors.