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.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Winter changes France. The Alps are covered with snow, villages light up their holiday decorations, and the coasts look wild under the grey sky. This collection includes places worth visiting during this season: the peaks around Chamonix and Courchevel, Annecy Lake which freezes some years, the...
Château d'Amboise
312 m
Clos Lucé
730 m
Château du Clos-Lucé
708 m
Château-Gaillard
313 m
Oppidum des Châteliers
884 m
Hôtel Morin
241 m
Miniaturpark Loireschlösser
2.6 km
Église Saint-Denis
337 m
Église Saint-Florentin
192 m
Musée de l'Hôtel de Ville, Amboise
231 m
Greniers de César
595 m
Rempart gaulois des Châteliers
1.2 km
Fanum des Châteliers
614 m
Pagoda of Chanteloup
2.4 km
Hôtel Joyeuse
158 m
Chapelle Saint-Jean d'Amboise
1.4 km
Tour de l'Horloge
176 mFontaine de Max Ernst
192 m
Église Notre-Dame-du-Bout-des-Ponts
747 mÉglise Saint-Symphorien de Nazelles-Négron
2.1 km
Maison du Philosophe
275 m
Éolienne Bollée de la Gabillère
1.8 km
Maison, 20 rue de la Concorde
427 mPrieuré Saint-Thomas d'Amboise
353 m
Maison, 52 rue Rabelais
152 m
Maison, 2 rue Joyeuse
152 mTour d'enceinte
137 mMaison à pans de bois, 42 rue de la Concorde, 17 quai Charles-Guinot
319 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes