CHATEAU ROYAL D'AMBOISE
CHATEAU ROYAL D'AMBOISE
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About CHATEAU ROYAL D'AMBOISE
Add to favoritesThe Renaissance Balcony Perched on a rocky spur, the Château d’Amboise offers one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Loire Valley. A former residence of the kings of France, this monument marks a major turning point in history: it was here that Italian influence took firm root at court, transforming the medieval fortress into a Renaissance palace of exceptional refinement. A visit is a journey to the heart of royal power, from the richly furnished apartments to the imposing cavalier towers (the Tour des Minimes and the Tour Heurtault), whose gently sloping ramps once allowed horses and carriages direct access to the terraces. But the site is also inextricably linked to a universal figure: Leonardo da Vinci. Invited by Francis I, the Tuscan genius spent the last years of his life in Amboise and now rests in the Saint-Hubert Chapel, a jewel of Flamboyant Gothic sculpture suspended above the void. Between its Mediterranean gardens, its ramparts steeped in history and its sweeping views of the royal river, the Château d'Amboise perfectly embodies French elegance and art de vivre.
Tip for an even more exceptional visit.
For a smart visit to the Royal Château of Amboise, the trick is not to rush straight to the royal apartments. Head first to the Saint-Hubert Chapel, perched on the rampart: this is where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. The secret to appreciating it is to look up at the delicate stonework of the portal, so fine that you forget it's limestone. Then, don't miss the descent via the Tour Cavalière des Minimes: its immense helical ramp allowed horses and carriages to ascend from the town level to the gardens; a feat of engineering that today offers a rather magical sound and light. The real secret for the view is to settle down in the landscaped gardens at the end of the rocky spur. Rather than staying near the entrance, walk to the statue of Leonardo da Vinci: it's the best spot to admire the Loire River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and understand why the kings of France chose this strategic defensive location. For the iconic photo, leave the château and cross the bridge to Île d'Or at sunset; the reflection of the Renaissance façades in the water is simply regal. Finally, keep an eye out for the secret tunnels: the château sometimes offers guided tours of the underground passages that once connected the fortress to Clos Lucé.
The stories of your visits
Submit your review.Nathalie
2026-01-27"Quel coup de cœur ! Ce château est une étape indispensable lors d'un séjour en Touraine. L'emplacement est spectaculaire : les terrasses offrent un panorama à 360° sur la Loire qui est tout simplement à couper le souffle. La visite est fluide et passionnante, notamment grâce à l'HistoPad qui permet de visualiser les salles à l'époque de la Renaissance."
cperrin
2025-12-19"Visiter Amboise sous les décorations de Noël est une expérience magique. Le château se pare de sapins magnifiques et de tables de fêtes dressées comme à la Renaissance, ce qui réchauffe l'atmosphère de pierre. Le point d'orgue reste la petite chapelle où repose Léonard de Vinci, encore plus solennelle en cette saison. Seul petit bémol : l'affluence importante en fin de journée et le froid piquant sur les remparts (prévoyez de bons vêtements !), mais la vue sur la Loire embrumée depuis les jardin"
aroux
2025-08-14"Un site chargé d'émotion et d'histoire ! ????? "Dominant la Loire, ce château offre un panorama absolument grandiose. C'est un lieu fascinant où l'on ressent vraiment la transition entre le Moyen Âge et la Renaissance. Le moment le plus fort reste le recueillement dans la petite chapelle Saint-Hubert, où repose le génie Léonard de Vinci : un lieu intime et magnifique. Les jardins sont superbes et invitent à la flânerie. Une visite incontournable pour la beauté de l'architecture et la sérénité qu"
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