WHAT TO SEE & DO
Overview Table
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amboise Castle | ✦✦✦✦✦ | Castle & Gardens + Panoramas | Either | Paid € |
| 2 | Town Center | ✦✦✦✦✧ | Town Center | Self | Free |
| 3 | Clos Lucé Castle | ✦✦✦✦✧ | Castle & Museum | Either | Paid € |
| 4 | Ambacia Cellars | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Cellars + Tastings | Guided | Paid € |
| 5 | Segway | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Segway | Tour | Paid € |
| 6 | Food Market | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Food Market | Self | Free |
| 7 | Mini Castles Park | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Museum Park | Self | Paid € |
| 8 | Viewpoint over Castle | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Panorama | Self | Free |
| 9 | Viewpoint over City | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Panorama | Self | Free |
| 10 | Gaillard Castle | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Castle & Garden | Self | Paid € |
| 12 | St. Florentin Church | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Church + Exhibits | Self | Free |
| 11 | St. Denis Church | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Church | Self | Free |
| 13 | Confectionery | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Museum - Candy | Either | Paid € |
| 14 | Art & History Museum | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Museum - Local Art & History | Self | Free |
| 15 | Tourist Train | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Tourist Train | Tour | Paid € |
1. Amboise Castle
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✦
Type Castle & Gardens + Panoramas
Visit Self-guided or Guided Tour
Cost Paid
French Name
Château Royal d’Amboise
Amboise Castle is a stunning fortress overlooking the Loire River, showcasing Renaissance architecture and beautiful gardens. Built in the 15th century, Amboise Castle became a favored residence of French kings, and Leonardo da Vinci, spent his final years here and is buried in the castle’s chapel.
The terrace includes the gardens and offer breathtaking views of the Loire River and the town of Amboise.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Gardens
2. Town Center
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✧
Type Town Center
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
Amboise developed around its castle, growing into a thriving town during the Renaissance. The central square, Place Michel Debré, is the heart of the town and the pedestrian-friendly streets are lined with charming boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. The half-timbered houses and Renaissance mansions add a picturesque charm to the area.
3. Clos Lucé Castle (Da Vinci)
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✧
Type Castle & Museum + Park
Visit Self-guided or Guided Tour
Cost Paid
French Names
Château du Clos Lucé
Le Clos Lucé
Clos Lucé Castle, located near Amboise Castle, is a charming manor house from the 15th centurythat served as Leonardo da Vinci’s residence in his final years.
It now functions as a museum dedicated to the life and works of the Renaissance genius featuring replicas of his inventions.
The site has also a park.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
4. Ambacia Cellars
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Cellars + Tastings
Visit Guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Caves Ambacia
A wine cellar experience in Amboise, offering tours and tastings of local wines and food. Visitors can explore the underground cellars and learn about the region’s winemaking traditions.
5. Segway
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Segway
Visit Guided Tour
Cost Paid
Explore Amboise effortlessly on a guided Segway tour. These tours provide a fun and modern way to see the town’s major attractions and scenic spots.
6. Food Market
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Outdoor Food Market
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Marché d’Amboise
The main food market in Amboise is held twice a week: on Friday mornings and on Sunday mornings, when its size doubles.
7. Mini Castles Park
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Museum Park
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Name
Parc des Mini-Châteaux
A family-friendly attraction showcasing miniature replicas of the Loire Valley’s famous castles. It’s a unique way to see the region’s architectural heritage.
Located 3km – 2mi away from the town center.
⚙️ Visitor Info (Official Website – Fr)
8. Viewpoint over Castle
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Panorama
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
A scenic spot offering ncie views of Amboise Castle and the Loire river.
9. Viewpoint over City
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Panorama
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
Another point providing views just over the town of Amboise.
10. Gaillard Castle
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Castle & Garden
Visit Self-guided
Cost Paid
French Names
Château Gaillard
Domaine Royal de Château Gaillard
Gaillard Castle is a small, picturesque castle and garden located on the outskirts of Amboise. It offers a peaceful escape with its well-maintained gardens and historical ambiance.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
11. St. Florentin Church
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Church + Exhibitions
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Église Saint-Florentin
A Gothic-style church from the 15th century located in the heart of Amboise.
The church has become a venue for exhibitions, showcasing art and history.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
12. St. Denis Church
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Church
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Name
Église Saint-Denis
An ancient church from the 12th century with mainly Gothic architectural elements.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Exterior
13. Confectionery
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Candy Museum
Visit Self-guided or Guided
Cost Paid
French Names
Confiserie d’Amboise
Conservatoire de la Confiserie
This factory-shop-museum showcases the history and art of candy making. Visitors can learn about traditional confectionery techniques and sample various sweets.
Exhibits include antique candy-making equipment and historical packaging. Demonstrations show how traditional sweets are made. The gift shop offers a wide selection of locally made confections.
14. Art & History Museum
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Local Art & History Museum
Visit Self-guided
Cost Free
French Names
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire d’Amboise
Musée Hôtel Morin
This is a museum located in a former mansion from the early 16th century in Amboise. It served as the town hall for part of the 19th century.
Today, it houses various collections focused on the history of the town.
🏞️ Google Images Overview – Interior
15. Tourist Train
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Tourist Train
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
French Name
Petit Train d’Amboise
A little train offering tours with audioguided commentary around Amboise. It’s a convenient way to see the town’s key sights and learn about its history.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN LOIRE VALLEY
Things to Do in Azay-le-Rideau Village
Things to Do in Candes-Saint-Martin Village
Things to Do in Chenonceaux Village
Things to Do in Cheverny Village
Things to Do in Fontevraud-l’Abbaye Village
Things to Do in Montrésor Village
Things to Do in Montreuil-Bellay Town
Things to Do in Montsoreau Village
