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Château d'Amboise

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Château d'Amboise (France)

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The Château d'Amboise stands majestically on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Loire River and was one of the most important royal residences in France during the 15th and 16th centuries. Under Charles VIII, the medieval fortress was transformed into a magnificent palace in the Flamboyant Gothic style, before Francis I introduced Italian influences and formal gardens. The castle gained special historical significance through Leonardo da Vinci, whom Francis I invited to Amboise and who spent his final years at the nearby Clos Lucé. The genius's tomb is now located in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert on the castle grounds. Amboise was also the site of the bloody 'Amboise Conspiracy' in 1560, a precursor to the French Wars of Religion. Despite partial destruction following the Revolution, the castle remains impressive today with its massive cavalry towers and expansive views over the Loire Valley.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C4471114182120171384
Rain mm594854476959545040676467

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
Montée de l'Emir Abd el Kader, 37400 Amboise
🕒
Hours
Mon-Sun 09:00-19:00 (check seasonal hours)
💶
Entry
€15.50 adults, €10.20 children
🌐
Website
chateau-amboise.com
🚌
Transit
Regional train to Amboise, then a 15-minute walk across the bridge
🅿️
Parking
Place Foch parking lot directly at the foot of the castle
♿
Accessibility
Gardens and ground floor accessible, historic towers via stairs only
📷
Photos
Photography without flash is permitted in the interiors
⭐
Best time
Early morning to see Leonardo da Vinci's tomb chapel in peace
🎧
Audio guide
DE, EN, FR, IT, ES, ZH, JP, RU, PL, PT

Geography

Coordinates
47.41000, 0.98000

Facts

  • King Charles VIII died at Amboise in 1498 after hitting his head on a low stone lintel.
  • Leonardo da Vinci was buried in Amboise in 1519, following his own request.
  • The Chapel of Saint-Hubert is considered a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic architecture.
  • The Minimes and Heurtault towers feature spiral ramps allowing carriages to reach the terrace level.
  • The château suffered significant damage from bombing raids during World War II.
  • Amboise was the first royal residence to introduce Italian-style Renaissance gardens to France.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

AmboiseAmboise<1 km · NEExplore →
📍Bléré9 km · SExplore →
ChenonceauxChenonceaux11 km · SEExplore →
📍Montlouis-sur-Loire12 km · WExplore →
📍La Ville-aux-Dames16 km · WExplore →
📍Saint-Pierre-des-Corps19 km · WExplore →
📍Saint-Avertin20 km · WExplore →
📍Esvres20 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Château d'Amboise (10)

Chapelle Saint-Denis

Chapel in the Indre-et-Loire department, France, Romanesque origins.

Église Collégiale Saint-Denis

Collegiate church in the Indre-et-Loire department, France, Gothic.

Théâtre Beaumarchais

Theatre in Amboise, venue for performances.

Église Paroissiale Saint-Florentin

Parish church in the Indre-et-Loire department, France.

Musée de l'Hôtel de Ville🏛 museum

Museum in France, housed in the Amboise town hall.

Tour Garçonnet

Tower in Amboise, part of the medieval city fortifications.

Le Garage Centre d'Art

Art gallery in a former garage, contemporary exhibitions.

Tour Heurtault🏰 castle

Castle tower, remnant of a medieval fortress.

Château d'Amboise

Royal castle in Amboise, overlooking the Loire River.

Tour des Minimes🏰 castle

Castle tower, massive round tower from the 15th century.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is Leonardo da Vinci's tomb located?
His tomb is located in the Saint-Hubert Chapel on the grounds of Amboise Castle.
Does the castle offer good views?
Yes, from the terraced gardens, there is a fantastic panoramic view over the Loire Valley and the town.
How far is Clos Lucé from the castle?
The Clos Lucé manor, Leonardo's residence, is only about 500 meters (10 min walk) from the castle.
Can you reach the castle by train?
Yes, Amboise train station is on the Paris-Tours line. It's about a 15-20 minute walk from the station to the castle.
What is special about the cavalry towers?
The Minimes and Heurtault towers feature spiral ramps that allowed riders and carriages to reach the gardens directly.
Château d'Amboise: where is it located?
Château d'Amboise is located in Centre-Val de Loire, France.
Château d'Amboise: what is there to see?
Highlights include Chapelle Saint-Denis, Église Collégiale Saint-Denis, Théâtre Beaumarchais.
Château d'Amboise: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Château d'Amboise: why is it worth visiting?
The Château d'Amboise stands majestically on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Loire River and was one of the most important royal residences in France during the 15th and 16th centuries.
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