Amboise, 210 km (130 miles) southwest of Paris (map), meets the definition of a perfect château town in the Loire Valley.

What to See & Do

Not only does it have a wonderful château favored by François I, one of France's greatest monarchs, the château contains the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci, and another château that was his home for the last three years of his life.

It offers a fine medieval main street, a Loire River promenade, boat cruises on the river, bicycle paths to other châteaux, good cafés, restaurants and patisseries, vineyards and wineries just out of town.

The center of the town is the place Michel Debré (map), the widened street on the south side of the Château d'Amboise from which a ramp leads uphill to the château entrance. Here you'll find many of the town's better restaurants and cafés, shops, and Vignobles d'Amboise, a combination museum, tasting-room and wine shop in a series of caves beneath the château. More...

Where to Stay

Lodgings in the center of Amboise tend to be fine small bed-and-breakfast houses, small family-run hotels, and deluxe boutique hotels set in private villas with gardens. Plenty of these are within walking distance of all the sights, but the total number of rooms right in the center is limited, so you will want to reserve well in advance. More...

Transportation

Train and car are the best ways to reach Amboise from Paris, but the Aéroport Tours Val de Loire serves domestic French and interntional destinations. More...

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