Amboise is an elegant city where you can walk in the footsteps of a French king, explore centuries-old chateaux and visit the former home of Leonardo da Vinci. The city is set on the banks of the Loire River and has a chic and upscale atmosphere. Dine at outstanding restaurants and shop at the famous weekend market. The postcard-perfect Loire Valley countryside is at your fingertips.
Things to do in Amboise
Amboise is a gateway to the beautiful Loire Valley. Rent a bike and spend the day cycling past rolling vineyards and sun-dappled forests. Canoe rentals are a wonderful way to enjoy the Loire and Cher Rivers. As you paddle, you’ll get uninterrupted views of riverside landmarks like Château de Chenonceau.
Château Royal d'Amboise watches over the city from a rocky escarpment. It was built as a summer retreat for French kings and set in formal gardens. Walk through lavish rooms and visit the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci in the Gothic chapel. From the ramparts, you’ll get sweeping views over the town, river and surrounding countryside.
Château Gaillard recalls the grandeur of the Italian Renaissance. King Charles VIII recruited more than 20 Italian architects to create the magnificent palace, including famed landscaper Dom Pacello. Walk through the vineyards and don’t miss the citrus greenhouse filled with hundreds of orange trees.
Learn about the legacy of Leonardo da Vinci at Le Clos Lucé. The manor house has been reinvented as a museum where you can see paintings, sketches and scale models of his inventions. Pack lunch and enjoy a picnic in the gardens.
Get lost in a sea of stalls at the Sunday Food Market. Hundreds of vendors set up by the riverside and sell everything from cheese and charcuterie to fresh-baked breads and pastries. Produce stalls overflow with local pears, apples and asparagus.
Getting around Amboise
Amboise is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The town is a 40-minute drive from Tours and 2.5 hours from Paris. Trains run between Paris and Amboise in under 2.5 hours and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is a four-hour drive away.