Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Amboise, France. This small town in France’s Loire Valley is where Leonardo DaVinci lived the last years of his life. Amboise is a great base for exploring the Loire Valley and the nearby French countryside. So, we wanted to share our tips for the best things to do in Amboise, France.
Amboise Chateau
Like many villages of the Loire Valley, Amboise is centered on a castle, in this case, the Chateau d’Amboise. Sitting on a hill overlooking the Loire River, the Amboise Chateau was at one time the Royal residence of King Charles VIII. You can easily reach the chateau from town and take a tour of the palace. In the summer, they have a sound and light show which is fun, and the gardens are a great place for the kids to run off some energy.
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Chapel of Saint-Hubert
Just outside of the chateau, there’s a small chapel off to the side. This is actually where you can see Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb. He is buried here, as Amboise is where he spend the last three years of his life.
Clos Luce
If you want to see where DaVinci spent the last three years of his life, you can visit Clos Luce, where he lived in Amboise. Not only can you see the room where he slept, but many of his ideas and designs are on display. There are some designs that failed during his lifetime but have been recreated for display today. There’s an entire park featuring his designs. You really get a sense of how brilliant DaVinci was. Clos Luce is surprisingly kid-friendly; our boys loved the outdoor areas.
Cave Homes
As you walk from Chateau d’Amboise to Clos Luce, you’ll see houses built into the rock walls. It’s something you might expect to see in Turkey or Greece, but in the Loire Valley? Yes, there are cave homes right here in Amboise. They are built into the rock wall below the chateau. They are really neat to see but remember these are private residences, so be respectful of their privacy.
Amboise Center
One of the best things to do in Amboise is just to walk around the Old Town area and explore the small side streets that stem off of Rue Nationale. Strolling down the narrow cobblestone alleys really makes you feel like you are in Old World France, and you can almost imagine what it was like in the days when Kings and Queens ruled the Loire Valley.
Outdoor Adventure in Amboise
The Loire Valley is where the Parisian royals went to relax and get away from the city. So, there are loads of outdoor opportunities in and around Amboise. The chateaux have amazing gardens and playgrounds, and you can take a cycling tour or a kayak tour. Hot air balloons are also a popular way to see the Loire Valley.
Explore the Loire Valley Chateaux
Amboise is a great home base for exploring the rest of the Loire Valley. There are many hotels and accommodation options in Amboise, and you can take a train, bus, or guided tour to surrounding Loire Valley chateaux. The Château de Chenonceau is less than 20 minutes by car, while the Château de Chambord, Loire Valley’s largest chateau, is less than one hour from Amboise.
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Loire Valley Wine Tasting
There are tons of wineries and vineyards in the Loire Valley. There are several near Amboise, and more scattered throughout the valley. You can sign up for a guided tour, hire a private driver, or assign a designated driver in your group to take you to the various Loire Valley wine tasting rooms and vineyards.
ZooParc de Beauval
If you are visiting the Loire Valley with kids, the ZooParc de Beauval outside of Amboise is a fun place to visit. It’s the largest zoo in France and is the perfect break from chateau-overload that can sometimes happen in the Loire Valley.
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Amboise is the perfect place to stay when visiting the Loire Valley. Only two hours by train from Paris, and centrally located amongst many cool chateaux and vineyards, we loved Amboise.
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