Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The château is 34km east of Tours, 10km southeast of Amboise and 40km south-
west of Blois. There are trains and buses from all three towns.
Amboise
POP 12,929
The childhood home of Charles VIII and the final resting place of the great
Leonardo da Vinci, elegant Amboise is pleasantly perched on the southern bank of
the Loire and overlooked by its fortified 15th-century château.
Sights
CHÂTEAU ROYAL D'AMBOISE
( 02 47 57 00 98; place Michel Debré; adult/child €10/6.50; 9am-6pm,
9am-5.30pm Mar, 9am-12.30pm & 2-4.45pm Jan-Feb & mid-Nov-Dec)
Sprawling
across a gorgeously situated, rocky escarpment with panoramic views of the river
and surrounding countryside, the easily defendable castle presented a formidable
prospect to would-be attackers, but in fact saw little military action. Charles VIII (r
1483-98), was born and brought up here, and was responsible for the château's
Italianate remodelling in 1492. François I (r 1515-47), who constructed Chambord,
also grew up here alongside his sister Margaret of Angoulême, and later invited da
Vinci to work at nearby Clos-Lucé under his patronage.
Castle
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