Amboise Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Amboise featuring café scenes, a small town or village and street scenes
Amboise showing a small town or village
Amboise showing heritage architecture and a city
Amboise which includes a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Chateau d\'Amboise showing a castle and a park

Visit the town where Charles VIII of France was born and Leonardo da Vinci died. Explore lavish palaces and the fields and forests of the Loire Valley.

The wealth, power and prestige of French monarchs from previous centuries are easily seen in the royal residences in and around Amboise. This medieval town in the Loire Valley served as the part-time home of the French royal court during the 16th and 17th centuries. Explore historic palaces, then venture into the surrounding countryside to see more palatial buildings.

Amboise’s most visible attraction is the Chateau d’Amboise, which served as the residence of such French monarchs as Charles VIII and François I. Tour the well-preserved interior of this grand structure. Located on a hilltop overlooking the town, there are panoramic views to be enjoyed from its 130-feet (40-metre) Minimes Tower. Below is the River Loire, where you can see the small Golden Island and its homes and old church.

Nearby is the Chateau du Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. Step inside the furnished rooms on the first floor, then go down to the basement to see models and animations based on some of his inventions and ideas.

Approximately 2 miles (3 kilometres) south of the town is the Pagoda of Chanteloup. The 18th-century tower stands over a pond on the outskirts of a forest. Climb the stairs to the top of this 144-feet (44-metre) tall structure and look out over the Loire Valley.

See more of the region by taking a drive or bicycle ride and visit some of the royal residences that dot the countryside. The Chateau of Chenonceau and the Chateau of Cheverny are two of the most popular. Look at French palaces in miniature at the Parc de Mini-Chateaux. It features 44 scale models of the area’s royal homes amid a landscaped garden.

Amboise is less than a 3-hour drive from Paris. The sumptuous palaces and countryside are pleasant escapes from the French capital city.

Ibis Amboise
Ibis Amboise
3 out of 5
Z.I. La Boitardière, Chemin du Roy, Amboise, Indre-et-Loire
The price is £83 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
£83
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Amboise. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Château-Gaillard and Clos Lucé ...
8/10 Very Good! (286 reviews)
"Great hotel to stay for a night to visit the chateaux in the area"

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Ibis Amboise
Novotel Amboise
Novotel Amboise
4 out of 5
17 Rue Des Sablonnieres, Amboise, Indre-et-Loire
The price is £134 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
£134
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Amboise. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (527 reviews)
"The staff were amazing. A special shout out to Louise at the front desk who went well above and beyond her duties to help us. The hotel was clean and comfortable. They assisted us in getting taxis to town, which are sometimes hard to come by. Overall an excellent stay and I highly recommend ..."

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Novotel Amboise
Hôtel Bellevue
Hôtel Bellevue
3 out of 5
12, Quai Charles Guinot, Amboise, Indre-et-loire
The price is £106 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
£106
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Amboise. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (193 reviews)
"Beautiful location, walkable to all the restaurants and sights. Rooms were spacious."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Hôtel Bellevue
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Villa Bellagio Amboise
Villa Bellagio Amboise
3 out of 5
115 Route de Civray de Touraine, face au Parc des mini châteaux, Amboise, Indre-et-Loire
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly residence in Amboise. Enjoy free parking, laundry facilities and housekeeping. Popular attractions Château de Chenonceau ...
Excellent Base.
"Amazing place. Spread over a very large area with small individual appartments, very clean and comfortable and private. Parking at the appartments could be enlarged or redesigned to have cars at the appartments instead of at the end of the road which meant you go wet if it was raining. Also a bit ..."

Reviewed on 30 Sep 2019

Villa Bellagio Amboise
New - Maison de Chanteloup - 4 pers with swimming pool
New - Maison de Chanteloup - 4 pers with swimming pool
Amboise, Centre-Val de Loire
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Amboise. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Pagoda of Chanteloup and St. Denis ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (133 reviews)
Beautiful property and great accomodations
"This is an adorable farmhouse with all the comforts of home. We enjoyed our stay. The check-in and check-out process was very easy."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

New - Maison de Chanteloup - 4 pers with swimming pool
Spacious 18th century house, Loire Valley UNESCO heritage
Spacious 18th century house, Loire Valley UNESCO heritage
Amboise, Centre-Val De Loire
Stay at this family-friendly cottage in Amboise. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Pagoda of Chanteloup and St. Denis Church ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (122 reviews)
369 Route de St Martin le Beau
"We had a lovely stay. The house was very comfortable and well equipped. Good beds good showers plenty of hot water. Good cooker. The garden was slightly disappointing."

Reviewed on 10 Sep 2022

Spacious 18th century house, Loire Valley UNESCO heritage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Amboise

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 70%
4 - Good
3
4 - Good 30%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Amboise is really lovely. Great atmosphere, good restaurant.

Cities near Amboise