Amboise

Château royal d'Amboise

Amboise is where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last three years. The royal château overlooks the Loire; the Clos Lucé, 500 metres away, was his final home. A day in Amboise is walking in the footsteps of the Florentine genius.

The royal château of Amboise

Perched on a rocky spur overlooking 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 struck 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 is uncertain).

Clos Lucé — Leonardo's last home

500 metres from the royal château. The manor where François I invited Leonardo da Vinci to spend his last years (1516-1519). Leonardo arrived at 64 with his drawings, notes, and the Mona Lisa in his luggage. He died here. The manor is entirely devoted to his work: full-scale reproductions of his inventions, models, drawings, reconstructed workshop. Plan 1h30 to 2h for the building.

The park and inventive gardens of Clos Lucé

The park of 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 of the visit 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. Coffee in the park. Back to your base. A full but manageable day, with less than 1 km of walking between the two sites.

Practical: hours, prices, access

Royal château: open year-round, €14.40 adult. Clos Lucé: open year-round, €18 adult, €12.50 children 7-18. Combined tickets available at -10%. By train: Amboise is 10 minutes' walk from the station, accessible from Paris in 1h23 direct. It's one of the easiest châteaux to reach by train. By car from Meung-sur-Loire: 1h via A10 then D31.

Combine with Chenonceau

Amboise is 25 minutes from Chenonceau. The one-day combination works: Chenonceau in the morning at opening (to avoid the crowd), lunch midway, Amboise and Clos Lucé in the afternoon. Dense but coherent programme. See our Chenonceau guide.

Your base to visit Amboise

La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire: 4 bedrooms, 8 sleeps, 1h from Amboise.

Book on Airbnb →

Frequently asked questions

How do I book La Maison du Château? +
Booking is made directly on Airbnb (airbnb.fr/h/meunglamaisonduchateau). You will find live availability, real-time pricing and cancellation terms. No additional fees beyond Airbnb.
How many guests can the house accommodate? +
La Maison du Château has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 8 sleeps over 150 m². Three double beds (160×200) and two single beds (90×190). Ideal for two families, a group of friends or several colleagues. Baby equipment included (crib, travel cot, high chair, child cutlery, toys).
How far are you from the Loire Valley castles? +
Beaugency 10 min, Cléry-Saint-André 15 min, Blois 40 min, Chambord 45 min, Cheverny 55 min, Amboise 1h, Chenonceau 1h10. The Château de Meung-sur-Loire is 100 metres from the house.
How do I get there from Paris? +
1h30 by car via the A10 motorway (Meung-sur-Loire exit). By train: 1h from Paris-Austerlitz to Meung-sur-Loire station, direct. The house is a 10-minute walk from the station.
Is there parking? +
Free street parking nearby. The house is in the town centre but the area remains quiet.
Is there a host check-in? +
No, check-in is self-service via a smart lock. You receive the code the day before arrival via Airbnb. Check-in from 5pm, check-out before 11am. No in-person key handover — smooth entry at any time.
Can I work remotely from the house? +
Yes — it's designed for it. 296 Mbit/s Wi-Fi (verified), dedicated workspace with desk in a room with a door. HD video calls and 4K streaming without issue. Perfect to mix stay and work days.
Is the house family-friendly? +
Yes, perfectly. The inner courtyard is safe, the kitchen is equipped for family meals, and the region offers many activities for children (Dragons trail at Meung castle, Chambord park, cycling along the Loire).
Are pets allowed? +
No, pets are not allowed. The house is also non-smoking.
When is the best time to visit? +
Spring (April-June) and early autumn (September) are ideal: mild weather, soft light over the Loire, less crowded castles. Summer stays pleasant thanks to the inner terrace. Winter offers near-empty castles and an intimate atmosphere.

Read also

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Overview and three pillars

The House →

Spaces, amenities, capacity

The Region →

Castles, art of living, access