Day 1 in Amboise

Welcome to Amboise! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Begin your afternoon with a pleasant lunch at any of the charming cafes around town. Take in the medieval feel and sample the local wines and cuisine of the area. The main square, Place Debré, and the main shopping street, Rue Nationale, are great for shopping, eating, and people watching.

Spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring more of the city. For history buffs, the old Hôtel de Ville (town hall) is home to a small museum open in the high tourist season. Then head over to the Catholic Church, Saint-Denis, which started about 1107 by Hugues 1st Lord of Amboise. The church still hangs on to its Romanesque origins and is worth a visit to view its beautiful interior.

Finish your afternoon with a walk along the banks of the Loire River to enjoy the boats, birds, and especially the sunset.

As night falls enjoy a delicious traditional French dinner at one of the riverside restaurants. Some even offer a view overlooking the Amboise Castle by moonlight.

Day 2 in Amboise

Start your day early for more exploration of Amboise. If you are in town on a Friday or Sunday make sure to stop at the Amboise`s outdoor riverside market which takes place behind Max Ernst`s fascinating turtle fountain creation. This is a feast of sights and smells. The market on Friday mornings sells predominantly food and regional delicacies. The much larger Sunday market takes place in the Place du Marchée beside the Loire River selling wines, cheese, meat, fruit and vegetables of the local area, along with clothes and locally-made pottery. It draws visitors from all over the region and feels more like a fair than a market.

Spend the rest of the day visiting the two biggest attractions in Amboise, the Royal Château d`Amboise and Clos Lucé (Leonardo DaVinci`s home in his final years). First, make your way to the Royal Chateau of Amboise built on a spur above the town. The castle was the first Italianate chateau in France that was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was also the first castle to have gardens laid out in the formal style that came to be known as `French style gardens`. Here you can discover the highly regarded collection of renaissance furniture and furnishings, as well as tomb of Leonardo Da Vinici. Make sure to spend a moment taking in the remarkable panoramic view of the Loire valley from the castle rampart.

From the Royal Chateau of Amboise, walk up the hill along Rue Victor Hugo and you`ll reach Chateau du Clos Lúce. The short walk leads you by the old timbered houses that line the narrow street. The mansion of Clos Lucé is in great condition and tells the story of Leonardo`s last years there. In the basement, you`ll find models and videos of many of his inventions and, while not all of them were practical at the time (due to engineering limitations), they still inspired later working devices like the helicopter, the parachute, and various movable bridges. The grounds host larger versions of some of his ideas that kids can play on.

In the evening, make your way to the main square, Place Debré, and the main shopping street, Rue Nationale, for some great dinner restaurant options. Here, you can also stroll around the numerous shops for all kinds of regional products and wine.

Day 3 in Amboise

Wake up early today to explore more of the Loire Valley. One way to do this is by bike, the area is a magnet for cyclist due to the large network of magnificent bike routes. Cycle from town to town through the vine-covered slopes that surround the valley, check out the chateau`s of the region while taking in the beautiful landscape.

Every turn in the road, it seems, a magical chateau appears. More than 100 are open to the public, but it`s best to focus on a few. Sixteenth-century Azay-le-Rideau is a fairytale castle, with its turrets and moat. The vast Château of Blois, located in the middle of the town, has been frequently remodeled, with buildings dating from the 13th to the 17th centuries dotted around the courtyard. The sound and light show is impressive. Chambord, the largest of the Loire chateaux, is a white-limestone masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, begun by King Francois in 1519 and completed a century later by Louis XIV. Besides exploring the extravagant interiors there`s everything from horse and carriage rides to boat rides. Chenonceau, spanning the Cher river, was built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet. Illuminated night walks in the summer make it extra special. Exquisitely furnished with antiques, Cheverny is still inhabited by the latest generation of the noble family the Hurault de Vibrayes, who built it from 1624-1634.

The area also boasts magnificent gardens. Some of the chateaux gardens are destinations in their own right. Château de Villandry is a Renaissance building renowned for its small but exquisite art collection, and its gardens are considered to be among the best in the world. Another appealing garden is the one at Château de la Bourdaisière. It was established by Prince Albert de Broglie in 1989, and he still cultivates over 400 varieties of heirloom tomatoes.

After a busy day of sightseeing, head back to your hotel for a good night rest.

Additional Days in Amboise

Should you be able to spend additional days in Amboise spend time exploring more of the Loire Valley. There are countless opportunities for wine tasting at vineyards across the region. The Domaine Huet is situated in nearby Vouvray, which has wonderful whites. Another great stop also located in Vouvray is the Cave des Producteurs, a wine-making museum. Here you can discover how vineyards work throughout the year, and, of course, tastings of a variety of whites and reds from local producers.

Among the best-known wines from the region are Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown around the villages of the same name, and Muscadet, also a white wine, made at the western end of the valley near Nantes.

Alternatively, there are a number of hot air balloon operators that offer a bird`s eye view of the area. This is another magnificent way to see the region from a broader perspective.

Your Last Day In Amboise

Depart your hotel for the airport for the airport or train station where you will head home or make your way to more European adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in Amboise and the Loire Valley of France.