The royal Château d'Amboise
Perched on a rocky spur dominating the Loire, the royal Château d'Amboise was a residence of the kings of France from Louis XI to Henri II. François I was born here, and Charles VIII fatally hit his head on a low doorway. The terraces offer the finest Loire view in the region. Visit: 1h30. Presumed tomb of Leonardo da Vinci in the Saint-Hubert chapel (his remains have been moved several times, authenticity uncertain).
Clos Lucé — Leonardo's last home
500 metres from the royal château. The manor where François I invited Leonardo to spend his last three years (1516-1519). Leonardo arrived at 64 with his drawings, notes, and the Mona Lisa in his luggage. He died there in the king's arms (legend, but beautiful). The manor is entirely devoted to his work: full-scale reproductions of his inventions, models, drawings, reconstructed workshop. Plan 1h30 inside.
The park and inventive gardens
The park around Clos Lucé is what makes the visit truly exceptional. Twenty giant machines (tanks, parachute, helicopter, double-hull) are placed in the woods — you approach them, touch them, sometimes operate them. Children love it. The botanical garden reproduces Renaissance plants. Plan 2h in the park. A snack at the "Café des Anges" at the end is very pleasant.
Typical Amboise + Clos Lucé day
Ideal programme: arrive 9:30am, royal Château d'Amboise until 11:30am. Coffee break on the terrace with Loire view. Lunch in the old town (rue Nationale, several good options). Clos Lucé from 2pm to 5pm (machines first, manor at the end). Coffee in the park. Back to base. A full but sustainable day, less than 1 km on foot between the two sites.
Practical
Royal château: open year-round, €14.40. Clos Lucé: open year-round, €18 adult, €12.50 children 7-18. Combined tickets at -10%. By train: Amboise is 10 minutes' walk from the station, accessible from Paris in 1h23 direct. One of the easiest châteaux to reach by train. By car from Meung-sur-Loire: 1h via A10 then D31.