This medieval town on the Loire River was Leonardo da Vinci's final home. Its 15th-century royal château overlooks cobblestone streets and Renaissance mansions.
Amboise sits along the Loire River, where French kings once ruled from a limestone cliff-top château. You'll find Leonardo da Vinci's last home at Clos Lucé, complete with his original workshop and working models of his inventions. The town's medieval streets wind past half-timbered houses, while local wine makers sell their Touraine-Amboise vintages at the riverside market. Just outside town, an unexpected seven-story Chinese pagoda rises above the countryside.
The Royal Château of Amboise
You can spot the château from almost anywhere in town, rising from its limestone cliff. Charles VIII transformed this medieval fortress into an Italian-style palace in the 15th century. Walk through the furnished royal apartments and climb the unique spiral ramp - wide enough for mounted horsemen to ride directly into the castle. In the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, you'll find Leonardo da Vinci's tomb, marked by a white marble slab.
Leonardo da Vinci's Last Home
Walk 500 meters from the main château to reach Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci lived from 1516 until his death in 1519. The red-brick and tufa stone mansion contains the master's bedroom, study, and kitchen, maintained to reflect their 16th-century appearance. In the basement, examine 40 working mechanical models built according to da Vinci's designs. Step outside to see full-size versions of his inventions, including his flying machines and military devices.
Markets and Local Food
Shop at the riverside market twice weekly: Friday markets focus on food from local farms, while Sunday markets add crafts and pottery. Look for the market stalls behind Max Ernst's turtle fountain, where you can buy Touraine-Amboise wines, goat cheeses, and seasonal vegetables. Local restaurants prepare traditional Loire Valley dishes, often using fish from the river and wines from nearby vineyards.
Getting Around Amboise
You can walk everywhere in the compact center. From the main square, follow narrow medieval streets to discover troglodyte caves carved into the cliff face along Rue Victor Hugo. Cross the Loire bridge to Île d'Or island for unobstructed views of the château and town. Rent a bike to join the Loire Valley cycling route that connects Amboise to neighboring towns and châteaux.
Day Trips from Amboise
Use Amboise as your starting point to explore other Loire Valley sites. Visit Château de Chenonceau, with its distinctive arches spanning the River Cher, 18 kilometers away. Climb the seven levels of Pagoda de Chanteloup, a 44-meter-tall Chinese-style tower in a 14-hectare park just outside town, for views across the countryside.
Getting There and Around
Take a train from Paris Montparnasse or Austerlitz stations to Amboise, changing at Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. The journey takes about two hours. If driving from Paris, take the A10 motorway, exit at Tours Centre, and follow signs to Amboise along the Loire River. Park in the main lot near the river west of the town center, or in several smaller lots throughout town.
