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Centre-Val-de-Loire• Cultural Travel Guides
Things to Do in Amboise: A French Local’s Guide to the Loire’s Most Charming Town
26/08/2026Amboise is one of those Loire Valley towns that rewards the traveler who slows down. Small enough to cover in a day, historically rich enough to justify two, it sits on the Loire River, the Royal Château rising above it like a silent guardian of centuries of history.
But Amboise is more than its château. The riverbank comes alive on market mornings, the troglodyte caves age their wines quietly in the dark, and the surrounding countryside is made for an unhurried morning by bike in a way that few Loire Valley towns can match.
I’ve visited several times, in different seasons, and I keep finding reasons to return. This guide is for the traveler who wants to do Amboise properly – not just see it.
Ready to explore beyond Amboise? Plan your next stops and make the most of your trip with this quick Loire Valley guide →
Last update: August 2026
What to Do in Amboise, France:
- The Château Royal d’Amboise
- Clos Lucé – Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Home
- The Old Town
- Where to Eat in Amboise
- Day Trips and Wine Tours from Amboise
- Where to Sleep in Amboise
The pictures below were taken on different trips and in different months.
Quick Answers about Amboise
How many days do you need? 1 day covers the basics; 2–3 days is ideal.
Day trip from Blois/Tours or overnight? I recommend staying overnight to fully enjoy Amboise and have time to relax.
Best time to visit: May–June and September – avoid July-August crowds.
How to Get to Amboise? Take the regional train from Tours or Blois (20-minutes ride). From the train station, cross the Loire River to reach the Royal Château and the Old Town.
The Château Royal d’Amboise
Sitting on a promontory overlooking the Loire River, the Royal Château d’Amboise is a must-see. Built during the 15th century, the castle became a favored royal residence for the kings of France, from Charles VIII to Louis-Philippe I.
The castle was extensively rebuilt over the centuries, combining a remarkable mix of styles, particularly the late Gothic with the emerging Renaissance style. It is historically relevant, as King Charles VIII of France was born and died inside the building, and the famous Leonardo Da Vinci was buried in the small chapel in front of the castle.
After the visit to the Château, take a stroll around the 2 Ha of park, planted with remarkable tree species and (my favorite part) thousands of perfectly pruned boxwood balls. Don’t leave the castle before soaking up the panoramic views you can enjoy from its vantage points!
Address: Montée de l’Émir Abd el Kader. Opening times: Every day, from 9 a.m. Closing time varies depending on the season.
Clos Lucé – Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Home
Just a short stroll outside Amboise’s center is the stunning Clos Lucé. This estate is something special: it was the last home of Italian master Leonardo da Vinci, who was invited to live in Amboise by King Francois I.
Inside, you can explore a reconstruction of Da Vinci’s studio and admire original sketches and manuscripts.
My favorite parts are the manor’s rooms, where you can see life-size models of Da Vinci’s most imaginative inventions, and the beautiful castle park, which is also dotted with some of his creations. There’s also a charming café serving quick bites and cakes, plus a lovely kitchen garden to explore.
If you plan to visit Clos de Lucé and the Royal Château, this combo ticket will save you time and money.
Address: 2 Rue du Clos Lucé. Opening times: Every day, from 9 a.m. Closing time varies depending on the season.
The Old Town
A former royal town whose château welcomed more French kings than any other, Amboise retains the authentic charm of its illustrious past. If you arrive by train, pause before crossing the Loire to the Old Town: the most spectacular view of Amboise is from the river’s right bank.
Local Market
No visit to a French city is complete without spending some time at the local market and Amboise’s is considered one of the most beautiful outdoor markets in the country!
Set along the banks of the Loire River, the Amboise market has everything your heart could wish for. Whether you are looking for freshly baked bread, local cheese, or crafted jewelry, this is the right spot in town.
The Amboise market is held twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays. The one on Fridays is a smaller market but with more local products, while the one on Sundays is bigger and definitely more touristy.
Troglodyte Houses
Around Amboise, the soft tuffeau limestone of the Loire Valley was extensively quarried. This is the same beautiful white stone used to build many of the region’s châteaux and historic buildings. Once the stone was extracted, the resulting caves and galleries were often reused rather than abandoned.
Some became wine cellars, workshops and storage spaces, while others were turned into actual homes for modest people and they were still inhabited during the 20th century.
The houses could be surprisingly functional, with temperatures around 14-18°C throughout the year. As families needed more space, additional rooms could be excavated into the rock. Gardens could even be created on top of the dwelling.
Bigot Chocolatier
The Bigot pastry and chocolate shop is another Amboise institution, established in 1913, and a true paradise for chocolate lovers. Stop by to buy some Baisers d’Amboise (small homemade meringues studded with chocolate chips) or for afternoon tea. You can also join their gourmet tour, which includes a demonstration of how their specialties are made, followed by a tasting.
Address: 2 Rue Nationale. Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Caves d’Ambacia
One of the best things to do while visiting the Loire Valley is to enjoy a winery tour with tastings. You will be glad to know there’s nothing easier to do in Amboise!
Amboise belongs to the Touraine wine production area, which produces mainly wines from Sauvignon blanc for whites and Malbec (known as Côt here in the Loire), Gamay, and Cabernet Franc for reds.
The Caves d’Ambacia are just a fifteen-minute walk from the city center, and it is a fantastic spot to introduce you to the delicious wines of the Touraine area. It’s not a winery but an ancient wine cellar carved into the rock dating back to the 15th century, where locally-produced wines are stored for aging and you can also buy some great bottles and other local products.
Although you can visit the cellars for free, I highly recommend joining their guided tour to discover all the secrets behind the local wine production and to taste the exceptional wines stored inside the cellars.
Address: 56 Rue du Rocher des Violettes. Opening times: Every day, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where to Eat in Amboise
Most of the eateries between the Royal Château and Clos Lucé cater to day visitors looking for a quick lunch during their sightseeing. If you’re looking for something more substantial than a sandwich or a mediocre crêpe, here are a couple of good places worth considering:
La Planque
Born from the merger of two restaurants, l’Écluse (bistronomy) and la Planque (burgers), the new Planque now offers delicious French cuisine made with fresh, seasonal local produce. Ideally located just a three-minute walk from the Royal Château, it offers a pleasant setting. On sunny days, you’ll especially enjoy the peaceful, shaded terrace beneath a magnificent weeping willow, with a lovely view of the Saint-Hubert Chapel.
Address: Rue Racine. Opens from Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.
La Pause du Temps
A charming little bistro with tasteful décor and a friendly atmosphere, where time seems to stand still. Everything here is fresh and prepared just as it would be at home, with a varied menu that changes regularly according to the chef’s inspiration and the seasonal produce available. On sunny days, the terrace is another lovely spot to sit back and let the hours pass by.
Address: 80 Rue Nationale. Opens from Thursday to Saturday (lunch and dinner) and Sunday (lunch).
Day Trips and Wine Tours from Amboise
Medieval Towns and Renaissance Châteaux
The beautiful towns and cities of Tours, Chaumont-sur-Loire, and Blois are easy to reach by regional train from Amboise.
In Blois, don’t miss the Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Louis and the Royal Château. If you choose to visit Tours instead, make sure to explore the Old Town and enjoy an apéritif at Place Plumereau.
From Amboise, you can also visit some of the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire Valley, including Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, and Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire.
The Loire Châteaux Pass is a great option if you want to save both time and money and also includes the Royal Château of Amboise and Clos de Lucé. If you don’t have a car, this excellent guided tour visits the castles of Chambord and Chenonceau and also includes a wine-tasting experience.
Wine Tours from Amboise
If you love wines, you are in for a treat. From Amboise, you can easily visit the wine areas of Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire in the Touraine wine region, known for their white wines and crémants made from Chenin Blanc.
The following domaines offer vineyard tours and wine tastings in both English and French and are easy to reach by car from Amboise:
If you don’t have a car, this excellent guided tour leaves from Amboise and visits both wine appellations, with several opportunities to taste the local wines.
Admire the Loire Valley from a Hot Air Balloon
Admiring the splendor of the Loire Valley, with its majestic châteaux and vineyards, from a hot-air balloon is a truly unforgettable experience to enjoy while in Amboise.
At Art Montgolfières, you can choose between shared and private hot-air balloon flights, with an aperitif at the end to make the experience even more special. Watch the balloon being inflated before climbing into the basket and taking flight, then enjoy stunning panoramas of the Loire Valley and incomparable views of Château d’Amboise, Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire.
La Loire à Vélo
La Loire à Vélo is a 900-kilometre cycle route that follows the Loire River to the Atlantic coast. Amboise is one of its main stops and is well served by bike shops such as Roue Lib, Loire Bikes and Cycles Labbé, which offer rental and repair services and can also provide travel advice.
For a self-guided day trip from Amboise, you can cycle east to Chaumont-sur-Loire (23 km), or west to the wine town of Montlouis-sur-Loire (16 km) and Tours (28 km), and return by regional train. If you prefer some guidance and the company of a small group, this ebike tour takes you to Chambord, the Loire Valley’s most spectacular château, while this other tour takes you through the vineyards, with wine tastings along the way.
Where to Sleep in Amboise
The Hôtel Les Pavillons du Lys is hands down the best place to stay in Amboise, offering comfortable rooms and a beautiful atmosphere for discerning travelers who want to slow down and fully enjoy this historic town.
For a truly unique experience, Le Clos de l’Hermitage is a former 15th-century quarry turned into a charming troglodyte bed and breakfast, with comfortable rooms carved directly into the rock. This unusual type of accommodation reflects how many families in the area lived until relatively recently, while offering modern comforts such as free Wi-Fi, a heated pool, and a lovely garden to enjoy on sunny days.
