Château Royal d'Amboise

Its soooo difficult to go there if you are on wheelchair. Wheelchair access is behind the chateau’s garden. You will need a vehicle to reach the gate and you will have to traverse bumpy cobblestone path. LOCATION PIN does not even work. It took us such a long time to figure things out. Wheelchair access only two floors. Beautiful place and great history though. just hope they figure out how wheelchair get accessed easier.

Such a beautiful chateau in such a beautiful location that captures centuries of history of France and Europe. The entry fee for the chateau when compared to others in the region is considerably high and I'd suggest exploring other chateau such as chenonceaux, chambord, amboise and even clos de Luce before going here. The chateau provides a histopad and has deferred everything including all information to a digital tour guide. Some, likely younger audience would enjoy the interaction, however the experience had limited information beyond a few sentences on each area of the chateau. The experience was lacking when it could have been so much more. Exploring how Da Vinci was involved with the chateau and the kings, how did its use change over the years, why was there a decline, what role did it play in history, and many many other questions were not answered in my mind. We ended staying for an hour (perhaps a little less) and left feeling underwhelmed, such a missed opportunity to share the amazing history of the chateau with the world.

One of the most important châteaux of the Loire Valley is the Château d'Amboise, which rises high above the town and river. The château's history begins in the 11th century, when Count Fulk III of Anjou began building a stone fortress. This fortress was fortified and expanded over the centuries until it came into the hands of King Charles VII of France in 1434. He took it over from the previous owner, Louis of Amboise, who was arrested in 1431 for conspiring against the king. The Château d'Amboise was frequently used by the royal family as a (temporary) residence; Charles VIII and his wife Anne lived there the longest. He commissioned the construction of the two equestrian towers, the Tour des Minimes and the Tour Heurtault. These towers, with a diameter of 21 meters, are famous for their step-free access for riders to the terrace 40 meters above. The castle experienced its greatest heyday under Francis I, who welcomed Leonardo da Vinci to Amboise in 1515. During his stay, da Vinci lived in the Clos Lucé, which is connected to the castle by an underground passage, and is buried in the castle's Chapelle Saint Hubert. After the Amboise Conspiracy in 1560, the French court abandoned the castle and never returned. The Château d'Amboise served as a state prison for a time, but during the French Revolution, much of it was destroyed. King Louis Philippe began restoring the castle during his reign but was forced to halt it upon his abdication in 1848. The castle remains in the possession of his descendants. What remains of the castle, and there is plenty of it, is certainly worth a visit, if only for its many different architectural styles and furnishings (and also for the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci).

Visiting Château d’Amboise was fascinating. The location on the hill offers breathtaking views over the Loire River, and the history of the castle is truly captivating. Knowing that Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years here makes the visit even more special. A place full of history and charm.

I loved this château. The displays were beautiful, and the paper guide provided a great overview of the site. The rooms were elegantly decorated, and although the garden was closed for some reason, it didn’t take away from a truly wonderful experience.

The Château Royal d’Amboise is a beautiful castle with a lovely view over the town and the Loire River. The garden is also very nice. However, the visit to the castle itself is a huge disappointment. There are very few things to see, and the management seems to have tried to make up for this with Virtual Reality. After scanning an image, you receive more information about the room and its former inhabitants. You then find yourself staring at a small screen showing various historical scenes. To get additional explanations, you have to click on different people — but the text is written so poorly (at least in Dutch and English) that it’s almost impossible to understand. In short, a major disappointment. Not worth the money.

Amazing castle to visit when in Amboise. The large ‘square’ on top is very refreshing with great view of Amboise and the Loire. There is enough history in the castle to keep you interested during the visit. The chapel where Leonardo’s remains are buried is one of the nicest I’ve ever seen. The exit through the horse entry tower is a nice touch to the overall experience.

A must visit if near Amboise, France. Beautiful setting, great history, views that are spectacular. Been here twice, hope to come back again!