Château d'Amboise

This 15th-century château, which dominates the town, was the first in France to reflect the Italian Renaissance. A combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles, it is associated with Charles VIII, who built it on a rocky spur separating the valleys of the Loire and the Amasse.

You enter on a ramp that opens onto a panoramic terrace fronting the river. At one time, buildings surrounded this terrace, and fetes took place in the enclosed courtyard. The castle fell into decline during the Revolution, and today only about a quarter of the once-sprawling edifice remains. You first come to the Flamboyant Gothic Chapelle de St-Hubert, distinguished by its lacelike tracery. Today, tapestries cover the walls of the château's grandly furnished rooms. The Logis du Roi (King's Apartment) is open to visitors. It was built against the Tour des Minimes (also known as the Tour des Cavaliers), which was noteworthy for its ramp up which horsemen could ride. The other notable tower is the Heurtault, which is broader than the Minimes, with thicker walls.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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