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Amboise is incredibly charming but also a bit 'touristy' because of its
popularity with visitors to the Loire Valley. What brings them here
is its historical links to the French Royal Family, its markets and
a little surprisingly perhaps, its connection with Leonardo de
Vinci.
Amboise from the castle ramparts.
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It
is a popular base for discovering some of the other major
chateaux that lie to the east of Tours
including
Chenonceau,
Chaumont,
Blois
and
Chambord,
although, because of the excellent road network you are never really
that far away from them anywhere in the region. |
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The town
still retains its medieval
feel and has plenty of good restaurants and
cafes to relax in and sample the local wines
and produce of the area. |
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Amboise is
incredibly charming but also
a bit 'touristy' because of
its popularity with visitors
to the Loire Valley but what
that means is that it also
provides most of what is
demanded of a popular
destination. |
It's
main draw is its chateau
but the town has much more to offer...
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Started about 1107 by Hugues 1st Lord of
Amboise, the church of St Denis in the town was built on the site of
a Gallo-Roman monument. |
It is worth
a visit to view its beautiful
interior..
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During peak tourist season the
Amboise puts on a spectacular
sound and light show with hundreds (yes
hundreds) of local volunteers bringing
their history to life, you might not
comprehend all that is going on but
you’ll certainly enjoy the spectacle |
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On Fridays from 8 to 13h
and Sundays from 8am to 14h,
Amboise's outdoor riverside market
which takes place
behind Max Ernst's fascinating turtle fountain creation
is a feast of sights and smells.The market on Friday
mornings sells predominantly food and regional
delicacies. |
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The much larger
Sunday market
takes place in the Place du Marchée beside the
Loire river selling wines, cheese, meat, fruit and
vegetables of the local area, along with clothes and
locally-made pottery. It draws visitors from all over
the region and feels more like a fair than a market.
The town has a fairground on the market square on
the 3rd weekend of April. |
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The Loire river here at Amboise
is best appreciated from atop the chateau or by a stroll across the bridge
to the Leonardo da Vinci
statue on Ile d'Or
then looking back towards the town - it is also a great photo
opportunity but mind the traffic !
Read more about the statue
here |
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Francois I
spent his childhood here at the
chateau
and when
he succeeded to the throne, he lavished much of his social skills on
Amboise. |
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He held frequent balls, feasts,
tournaments and
it was he who
in 1516 invited Leonardo da
Vinci to stay at the delightful
Manoir
du
Close-Luce, nearby
with the promise of a pension, with the only requirement
being that he devote some of his time to conversation
and companionship. It is said that there is a secret
tunnel from the chateau to the Manoir du Clos -Luce.
Leonardo's remains now lie within
the Chapel
of Saint-Hubert within the grounds of the chateau. |
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A
visit to Amboise would not be complete without a short walk down Rue
Victor-Hugo to , past the troglodyte houses (complete with
satellite dishes) cut into the limestone cliff face, to the
enchanting house and gardens where Leonardo de Vinci spent his final
years. |
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Driving from Paris take
the A10 motorway (Paris-Bordeaux), exit at junction 21 "Tours
centre".
Driving from Tours,
take N152 east to D32 and then turn south, following signs to
Amboise,
going along the banks of the Loire
in the direction of Blois.
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Directions and time to Amboise
External links:
Tourist office
amboise-valdeloire
Official website of town
(French)
Chateau-Amboise
official site
Blogroll:
amboisedailyphoto.blogspot.fr
Find a hotel in Amboise
Lowest rate guaranteed : No booking fees.
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"Author: Jim
Craig"
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