AMBOISE – NUMBER 94
Self catering holiday accommodation

Holiday home with private pool ideally situated, offering excellent holiday accommodation for up to ten people within an ancient, interesting town in the Loire Valley.

LOCATION

Built on a promontory overlooking the Loire River to control a strategic ford that was replaced in the Middle Ages by a bridge, the château of Amboise began its life in the eleventh century, when the notorious Count of Anjou rebuilt the stronghold in stone. King Francis I was raised at Amboise, which belonged to his mother and during the first few years of his reign the château reached the pinnacle of its glory. As a guest of the King, Leonardo da Vinci came to Château Amboise in December 1515 and lived and worked in the nearby Clos Lucé, connected to the château by an underground passage. Tourists are told that he is buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, adjoining the Château, which had been built in 1491–96. Since 1840, the Château d'Amboise has been listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture. Today, the present comte de Paris, descendant of Louis-Philippe, repairs and maintains the château through the Fondation Saint-Louis. (www.chateau-amboise.com)

The Clos-Lucé is 500m southeast along the rue Victor Hugo from the chateau and was where Da Vinci lived and worked from 1516, when he came to France at Francis I's behest bringing with him the Mona Lisa, to his death in 1519. The house is now a museum dedicated to the Renaissance genius, with several fascinating models of his inventions made according to da Vinci's plans for turbines, parachutes and bridges. (www.vinci-closluce.com)

South of Amboise is the Chinese-influenced pagoda that was part of the Chateau de Chanteloup (demolished in 1823). Entry to the pagoda, which was built between 1775 and 1778, allows you to wander round the park and climb the pagoda to see the magnificent views of the valley. And if that isn't enough chateaux for one day, head to the Parc Mini-Chateaux on the D751, where you will find more than forty convincing models of the most important chateaux.

Creperies and snackeries are everywhere in Amboise, particularly the place Michel Debré and the rue Nationale. For something more special but still central, try L'Épicerie, 46 place M.Debré (02 47 57 08 94), which serves local cuisine. There is also a market on Friday and Sunday mornings on the Quai du Général-de-Gaulle.

Tourism Office web address: www.amboise-valdeloire.com (in French)