Amboise is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It lies on the banks of the Loire River, 27 kilometres (17 mi) east of Tours. Today a small market town, it was once home of the French royal court. The town of Amboise is also only about 18 kilometres (11 mi) away from the historic Château de Chenonceau, situated on the Cher River near the small village of Chenonceaux.
Royal Castle of Amboise: This medieval fortress of Amboise gives way to a royal residence under the reigns of Kings Charles VIII and Francis I (late 15th-early 16th century). The court and a number of European scholars and artists stayed at Amboise at the invitation of the sovereigns, such as Leonardo da Vinci who rests in the castle chapel.
This landmark in the history of France has an exceptional collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture that testifies to the artistic refinement of the first French Renaissance.
After the visit of the royal lodgings and towering towers, the walk continues in beautiful panoramic gardens overlooking the Loire.
Castle Clos Lucé, offered to Leonardo da Vinci by Francis I; after a few years of happy life in this castle the genius died there. His remains are in the chapel Saint-Hubert Castle Amboise.
