Amboise - beating heart of the Loire Valley

By following the Loire River from Blois downstream or from Tours upstream, you will arrive in the picturesque city of Amboise. Its Renaissance fortified castle, overlooks the city and its tiny streets. You will enjoy wandering around this charming place, along the dikes of the Loire River or in the lively shopping street.

 

Leonardo Da Vinci in Amboise

The Amboise castle was partially destroyed, however, the elegance touch of the Italian architecture still prevails. Adjacent to the chateau, stands the ravishing Chapelle St-Hubert built in a Gothic style. The remains of Leonardo da Vinci are buried there.

Leonardo Da Vinci arrived in the Loire Valley in 1516 with the Mona Lisa - which is now exposed at the Louvre Museum in Paris - and was offered by King Francis Ist the manor of Cloux, which is called today le Clos Lucé.

 

Leonardo Da Vinci tomb in Amboise

Saint Hubert Chapel in Amboise castle  - ©Fondation Saint Louis

 

Amboise is central to visit the most famous castles of the Loire

Amboise is one of the most visited cities in the Loire Valley: close enough from Paris, many travelers indulge themselves a day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley. This is a real pity: there is so much to see, feel and experience in the Loire, that coming for a day only will bring one thing: frustration.

We recommend our travelers to spend at least 3 to 4 days to have an overview of the Castles Country. The Loire Valley lovers can easily stay for 2 weeks - even coming back several times - without getting bored.

 

Honeymoon in Amboise Loire Valley

©ADT Touraine - David Darrault

 

Where to stay in Amboise?

Amboise hotels are often overpriced and may not match our travelers’ expectations: this is why we have selected beautiful places - just few miles away or sometimes even in a walking distance from Amboise old city, for our travelers to be comfortably accommodated to enjoy their stay in the castles’ country.

We always do our best to handpick great accommodations: B&Bs, hotels, boutique-hotels, perfectly located to tour around the sightseeing area, remaining away from the tourist crowds.

For those who want to experience staying in a chateau or an historic mansion, we will be happy to plan accordingly. 

Renaissance chateau in the Loire valley

Nice Boutique-Hotel in a castle near Amboise

 

What to do in Amboise ?

In Amboise, enjoy a wine tasting or stroll along the Loire River on market day. We will also tell you where to have a drink to get the best view over the town and its castle at sunset!

If you are lucky, you might see the traditional fishermen from the Loire who are still supplying some local restaurants with delicious eel type fishes. 

 

 

Some of our best sample itineraries including Amboise

Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 5880
Region
in Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne & Provence

France Just For You has organized its own very special Tour de France. No need for a bike but be ready for a great deal of adventure! This itinerary will take you off the beaten path to all the must sees & dos in four of the most enthralling regions of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Gourmet Food
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4720
Region
in Burgundy & Loire Valley

Explore and fully experience two "very French" regions, both famous for their gastronomy, wines, beautiful landscapes and very rich heritage.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4380
Region
in Loire Valley & Bordeaux

Uncover every hideaway and detail of the Loire Valley and Bordeaux UNESCO heritage sites. Taste typical regional fo od at your hosts’ table and stay at Bed & Breakfasts with unique atmospheres .

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 5450
Region
in Normandy & Loire Valley

Normandy & the Loire Valley are 2 regions of France you should not miss: the climate is mild, the people are very welcoming and history is around every corner.

Wine Tasting
WWI & WWII Battlefields
Countryside

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Naomi
My boyfriend and I spent a week in Paris last month and we decided that we would do a couple of day-tours outside of the city during our trip. We really wanted to avoid the typical tour-bus day-tour and the crowds that come along with these kinds of tours – we wanted something more personalized that would allow us to go at our own pace. I found the …
Naomi
Our trip was arranged and detailed well in advance, with reservations for activities and places of special interest, and free days with suggestions for things to see and do. We fell in love with Dordogne and the Paleolithic caves for which we had reserved tours, and were able to take in another cave the next day at the suggestion of our B&B hostess …
Pamela
We just returned from a fantastic three weeks in Southwest France. I highly recommend the services of France Just For You, we could never have planned the trip ourselves as well as they did. Laura did the planning and gave us an amazing itinerary, and was available at a moment's notice when we had a plane cancellation on our flight to Bordeaux and …

Our Travelers’ Photos

The Ko Family
from Korea
on the French Riviera
Dina & Jim
from the US
Who just received their travel pack at home
Ron, Jane, Don & Nancy
From Canada
Visiting a wine cellar
Judy & Rich
from the US
in Giverny, Normandy
Carol & Mike
from the US
In Pont du Gard roman bridge in Provence
Mike & Lynda
from the US
Wine Tasting in Bordeaux
Sonia & Peter
from Canada
in Carcassonne Medieval City
Karen
from the US
Eating lunch at Jules Verne restaurant at the top of the Eiffel tower
Chris, Diane, Teresa & Lorelea
From the US
In Epernay, in the Champagne region
Darlene & Howard
from the US
At Emilie's parents with Jeanne & Pauline (our daughters)
Nathalie from Australia
...found a truffle in Provence !
Fred
from Canada
Truffle hunting in Burgundy with Thierry

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