Hidden treasures
of Val d'Amboise
Reading this title, anyone who has ever visited the famous Châteaux of the Loire Valley might just be wondering if we’ve lost our minds. Of course, the kings of France – and Francis I in particular – were not known for building hidden monuments. You only have to head out along the banks of the Loire to understand: the castles of Amboise or Chaumont-sur-Loire can be seen from kilometres around, as these magical panoramas enchant visitors from all over the globe. But Val d’Amboise is also home to a host of other destinations and a multitude of more intimate and even exotic monuments, dotted across the villages and hamlets that surround the royal city.
The Pagode de Chanteloup
Lords and ladies, let us begin our tour with the iconic Pagode de Chanteloup. This curious building was erected in the mid-18th century and recalls the heyday of the Duke of Choiseul, former prime minister to King Louis XV. Exiled to the lands of Amboise, he had a giant palace, equal to Versailles, built on the edge of the forest. This was far from a hidden treasure. Upon his death, however, the palace was deconstructed and, today, all that remains is this iconic Asian tour, whose tip can sometimes be spotted by walkers, peeking over the trees. In its park of hundred-year-old trees, you’ll enjoy pure relaxation, between the Asian gardens and old wooden games.
The Château Gaillard Royal Estate
Walking along on of the many trails that cross this 15-hectare estate, visitors will easily forget that they are still right in the centre of Amboise. Early in the morning, it’s not rare to spot a few deer walking there, while the birdsong remains completely undisturbed by the noise of civilisation. It was on the side of this limestone hill that Mercoliano, the fantastic gardener to the kings, set up his Renaissance-garden laboratory. His palazzo, inspired by the Neapolitan villa of Poggio Reale, recalls the Italian dolce vita. Dozens of species of plants and flowers grow there in perfect harmony, not forgetting the host of citrus species housed in the cave orangery.
Local heritage of Val d'Amboise
Each village and hamlet of Val d’Amboise reveals a myriad of hidden treasures, symbols of a land whose history dates back many hundreds of years. To the north of the destination, Neuillé-le-Lierre stands out for its church with a nave dating back to the 11th century! A Nazelles-Négron, an extraordinary 12th-century tithe barn recalls the heyday of this little town. Dozens of little castles dot the landscape of Val d’Amboise, bearing witness to the former presence of great families, proud of their proximity to the royal power. Washhouses, vineyard lodges and mills complete this infinitely diverse heritage inventory.
Natural landscapes of Val de Loire
The landscapes of Val de Loire have been listed as World Heritage since 2000. Through this, UNESCO recognises the incredible coexistence of the Loire, the last wild river in Europe, and the work of men. The banks of the Loire are home to an infinite number of hideaways for a great many species of birds and mammals who come to nest there. The egret, the tern, the beaver and more. A host of feathered or furry encounters to be discovered on your most discreet walks. In the forests of Val d’Amboise, stags, does and wild boars live side-by-side under the hundred-year-old trees, or on the banks of lakes cloaked in a mysterious fog.
Staying in Val d'Amboise is the chance to enjoy a bubble of disconnection in an unspoilt land, right in the heart of the castles of the Loire. It's enjoying the calm of the Touraine countryside, while benefiting from a vast range of services and activities. In short, the perfect destination for your next holiday!
