Château d’Amboise
The royal château of Amboise stands on a terrace above the town and the Loire, the childhood home and favored residence of kings at the turn of the sixteenth century. Charles VIII was born here, rebuilt it in grand style, and died here in 1498 after striking his head on a lintel; François I grew up here and brought Leonardo da Vinci to town.
The short version
- The royal château of Amboise stands above the town and the river. Charles VIII was born here and Leonardo da Vinci is buried in its Saint-Hubert chapel.
- Our 2-Night Loire Valley Tour sleeps two nights in Amboise at the four-star Hôtel Clos Amboise, at the foot of the château, with the second morning free for the château and Clos Lucé.
- Admission is €17.30 with the HistoPad tablet included; children under 7 enter free. Clos Lucé is €20, 400 meters up the hill.
- The château opens every day except January 1 and December 25, 9:00 to 18:00 or later from April to October.
- Amboise is 20 minutes from Tours by train and 25 km by road.
Leonardo’s Tomb
Leonardo spent his last three years at Clos Lucé, 400 meters up the street, as guest of François I, and when he died in 1519 he was buried in the château’s collegiate church. His remains now rest in the Saint-Hubert chapel on the ramparts, a flamboyant Gothic jewel restored and reopened in 2024, and the tomb is the emotional center of the visit. Our page on Leonardo at Amboise covers the full story.
Visiting
The terraces give the best royal view on the river, and the underground towers, ramped so horsemen could ride to the top, are unique to Amboise. Current hours and prices are at chateau-amboise.com. The town below makes the best overnight base in the valley: walkable, well-fed, and central. Allow 90 minutes, more with Clos Lucé.
Amboise sits 20 minutes from Tours by train and pairs with Chenonceau by road, and it is the base for the LinkParis.com two-night Loire Valley tour, two nights at the four-star Hôtel Clos Amboise below the château; the top ten castles page covers the combinations.
Planning the day
Amboise works as a base or as a stop. By train it is 20 minutes from Tours and about two hours from Paris Austerlitz, and the château, Clos Lucé and the riverside town are all within a 15-minute walk of each other. Do the château first, while the terraces are quiet, then walk the 400 meters up to Clos Lucé; the two together take half a day, with lunch in town between them.
From November to January the château splits its day, 9:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00, so a winter visit needs the morning or the mid-afternoon. The estate stays open 45 minutes after the ticket office closes, and visitors with reduced mobility should arrive an hour before it does.
Our 2-Night Loire tour sleeps both nights here, at Hôtel Clos Amboise below the château; the Wine and Castle day from Paris comes to Caves Ambacia for its tasting; and the five-day Ultimate Loire gives Amboise its third day, with Chenonceau in the morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leonardo da Vinci really buried at Amboise?
Yes. He died at Clos Lucé in 1519 and his remains rest in the Saint-Hubert chapel on the château ramparts, restored and reopened in 2024.
What happened to Charles VIII at Amboise?
The king who rebuilt Amboise died in it, in 1498 at age 27, after hitting his head on a door lintel on his way to watch a tennis match in the moat.
How far is Clos Lucé from the château?
About 400 meters up the Rue Victor Hugo. The two visits combine naturally in a half day, château first for the history, Clos Lucé after for Leonardo’s workshops and gardens.
