3 must-see castles in Amboise

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A castle's life in Amboise!

What other French city can boast of having no fewer than three Renaissance castles in its center? Even more so, three royal castles, embodying centuries of France’s grand history! Amboise, the historic capital of the Renaissance, certainly lives up to its nickname. Just 1,000 meters separate the Royal Chateau of Amboise, majestically overlooking the Loire, from the Royal Estate of Chateau Gaillard, nestled on its wooded hillside. Between these two iconic monuments lies the 7-hectare park of the Chateau du Clos Luce, Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence. Let’s journey back through the centuries together and explore these three must-see castles of Amboise and the Loire Valley.

The Royal Chateau of Amboise

First things first, let’s head to the Royal Chateau of Amboise and pass through the imposing entrance gate pierced in the rampart. Two architectural marvels await the visitor. On one side, the royal residence, a vestige of the sumptuous palace erected by Kings Charles VIII and Francis I. On the other, the Saint-Hubert Chapel, a Gothic marvel housing the presumed remains of Leonardo da Vinci.

The Saint Hubert Chapel

The visit traditionally begins with the latter, allowing visitors to admire the impressive restoration work carried out by dozens of artisans between 2022 and 2024. The 200 sculpted decorative elements tell a new story. On the lintel, King Charles VIII and Queen Anne of Brittany frame the Virgin and Child. Inside, the sculpted capitals are like a comic strip populated by characters that are sometimes fantastical, sometimes whimsical. But the highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the tomb housing the presumed remains of Leonardo da Vinci, who died in Amboise on May 2, 1519. Originally buried in the Collegiate Church of Saint-Florentin, destroyed in the 19th century, the great genius has since rested in this Gothic masterpiece, overlooking the town he loved so much.

The interiors of the Royal Château of Amboise

After attending service in the chapel, the king returned to the royal residence, a much more imposing building than the one that exists today. Only 20% of the original structure remains, largely due to the ravages of time. Having just returned from the war in Italy, Charles VIII commissioned Italian craftsmen to transform the medieval residence into a Renaissance chateau. This is evident in the façades and roofs, richly adorned with pinnacles and slate tiles, and featuring numerous mullioned windows.

The interiors evoke the splendor of court life, particularly the grand council chamber. The heart of royal power, it hosted the most important meetings. Fleur-de-lis and ermine tails recall the presence of the royal couple, before passing through the king’s bedchamber and its imposing four-poster bed. Upstairs, a more recent history unfolds: that of Louis-Philippe, King of the French from 1830 to 1848, and his family. A space dedicated to Emir Abd-el-Kader, held captive at the chateau in the 19th century, also evokes his time there, and that of his entourage, some of whose members are buried in the Oriental garden. The chateau’s gardens exude the scent of the Mediterranean, with their sculpted boxwood hedges and grand cedar tree. They offer a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of Amboise, from the Loire River to the rooftops of the old town.

The Royal Château of Amboise is open every day except for Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Royal Estate of Château Gaillard

Among the many Italian artisans who worked at Amboise, Dom Pacello da Mercoliano is one of those who left the most indelible mark. This Neapolitan monk is considered the greatest gardener of the Renaissance. He is responsible for extraordinary gardens at Blois and Amboise, but it was at the Royal Estate of Chateau Gaillard that he displayed the full range of his talents.

The gardens of Château Gaillard

The tour of the estate begins with the King’s Gardens, famous for their Pacelli-style parquet floors. A pioneering gardener and botanist, Mercoliano believed that a garden should be as beautiful in winter as in summer. Thus, he sculpted fruit trees into aesthetically pleasing shapes, laid out paths lined with holly, and planted orange trees whose fragrance reminded him of his native Italy. Nestled against the hillside and sheltered from the winter frosts, the estate offered a microclimate unique in the Loire Valley. For the most intense cold, a troglodytic orangery was built beneath the château. With its dozens of exotic and fragrant citrus varieties, it remains one of the highlights of the tour today.

The interiors of Château Gaillard

From the Fountain of Youth, the castle’s façade unfolds in all its splendor. With its mullioned windows and ornamental frieze, it evokes the Neapolitan palazzi so beloved by King Charles VIII. The tour of the interiors begins with a reminder of the five years of restoration required for the estate’s reopening in 2016. More than 300 workers from some thirty different trades toiled tirelessly to breathe new life into this forgotten paradise of the French kings. The ground-floor rooms are richly furnished with period pieces, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The portrait gallery showcases the most illustrious occupants and owners in the estate’s history. From Charles VIII to Louis XII, including the Cardinal of Guise and Mary Stuart, prominent figures have left their mark on the castle.

One of the happiest events took place here a few weeks after the marriage of the Dauphin François and the young Mary Stuart in 1558. The young couple spent their honeymoon at Chateau Gaillard, the property of the princess’s uncle. Upstairs in the chateau, Mary Stuart’s bedroom commemorates the presence of this dazzling yet fleeting Queen of France. Another room evokes her life, marked by the betrayal of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England. Upon leaving the château, visitors are irresistibly drawn to one of the seven “Paths of Paradise” that wind through the 15-hectare park. The estate also abounds with secret and hidden corners, such as its troglodytic caves and its Gallo-Roman spring.

The Royal Estate of Château Gaillard is open in February-March from Wednesday to Saturday, then every day from April to December, with the exception of Christmas.

Chateau du Clos Lucé

While a hint of Italy lingers in the streets of Amboise, it is at the Château du Clos Lucé that the transalpine spirit is most palpable. It was indeed in this red-brick manor that the great Leonardo da Vinci came to close the chapter of his long and illustrious life. This Renaissance genius accepted the invitation of King Francis I to join him in his city on the banks of the Loire. After a long and arduous journey, he arrived in Amboise in the autumn of 1516. The king offered him lodging, but above all, the greatest freedom to think and work.

The interiors of Clos Lucé

Arriving in France with three of his most famous paintings, Leonardo da Vinci added the finishing touches, as seen in the Mona Lisa, which has become a global icon. The tour of the interiors begins upstairs, in the master’s bedroom. The four-poster bed is a poignant reminder of Leonardo’s final hours, where he died on May 2, 1519. From his bedroom window overlooking the city, he loved to contemplate the view, particularly that of the Royal Castle, which he enjoyed sketching. In his painting studio, one can imagine him at work, grinding ochre and mixing it with egg white to create the perfect shade. The dining room and kitchen remind us that Leonardo da Vinci entertained frequently, including the king himself. Francis I particularly enjoyed conversing with the man he affectionately called “my father.”

The exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s genius continues in the “Leonardo, Painter, Engineer, and Architect” galleries. Here, visitors discover a multifaceted artist, inspired by nature and eager to relentlessly test his most audacious ideas. In the immersive space, Leonardo’s most famous paintings come to life. Every detail, every bodily element animates to magnify the master’s meticulous work. Thus, the Mona Lisa stands alongside Saint John the Baptist, and La Belle Ferronnière is superimposed on Lady with an Ermine.

The Clos Lucé park

The grounds of the Château du Clos Lucé are an invitation to contemplation. It’s a veritable interactive open-air museum! Dozens of life-size models, designed by Leonardo da Vinci, are just waiting to be brought to life. Among them, you can understand the principle of Archimedes’ screw, or even the imposing tank, a war machine that was unfortunately visionary. The paths that wind through the 7 hectares of the park offer a welcome escape. The waters of the Amasse River refresh visitors, as does the shade of the centuries-old trees. Suspended from their sturdy branches, reproductions of details from Leonardo’s most famous works remind us of the inspiration the master drew from nature.

The Château du Clos Lucé is open every day except for Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Visit the 3 must-see castles of Amboise at a reduced price

With the Amboise City Pass, enjoy exceptional rates to visit Amboise’s must-see attractions. Discover the 3 castles as well as 7 other tours and activities in Amboise. And benefit from discounts in over 70 shops and restaurants in Amboise. For 24, 48, or 72 hours, the Amboise City Pass offers up to 40% off admission prices!