Amboise, Medieval commune in Loire Valley, France.
Amboise sits on both banks of the Loire, overlooked by limestone cliffs that rise above the river. Traditional French houses with pale facades and slate roofs line the waterfront streets and the lanes that climb toward the upper town.
The commune grew in the Middle Ages around a ford on the Loire and developed around a fortress that became a royal residence from the 15th century onward. Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years here and was laid to rest in the castle chapel.
The town's name comes from a Celtic word meaning water, reflecting its long connection to the river. Locals often describe their home as a place where history feels present in daily life, especially when walking through the narrow lanes around the castle.
The tourism bureau at Place du Château offers maps and guidance about the valley's castles and opens every day. Visitors walking around should bring comfortable shoes, as many paths are steep and cobbled.
The Pagoda of Chanteloup rises 44 meters and is the only remaining structure from an 18th-century estate park. From the top, it offers a wide view over forests and fields that once belonged to the Duke of Choiseul's property.
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