Chateau Amboise

Chateau Amboise is directly situated on the banks of the river Loire and in the ancient and beautiful town of Amboise. Acquired by the monarchy in the 15th century, Amboise was fortified and was a royal residence during the reign of King Charles VIII and King Francoise I in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Charles died at the chateau in 1498 after an unfortunate accident, hitting his head on a door lintel, he never recovered! 

The chateau is also the final resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci who lived the latter part of his life in Amboise. Arriving in December 1515 he was artist to the court of King Francis I. He died here in 1519 and is buried in the Chapel St Hubert.

The chateau went through many architectural changes as it developed from fortress to Royal Palace, with Charles employing Italian architects and artisans to make this "the first Italianate palace in France".

A walk around the ramparts provides great views of the town of Amboise and on it's northern side, the river Loire. Many of the apartments that are open to the public are furnished in different periods, making an interesting visit. Leonardo Da Vinci's remains are in the small chapel in the Chateau grounds. He had chosen to be buried in another part of the grounds and indeed was for a while, his body being later exhumed and re-buried in the chapel. A bust of the great artist now stands on a plinth at his original burial place.

 Views of the town from the ramparts of the chateau.

Amboise is a very pleasant town to spend some time.

A panoramic view of the river Loire from the chateau.

Looking upstream, over some very nice residences below the chateau.

The chateau, the town and the river.

The Chapel St Hubert, where Leonardo is buried.

Chapel St Hubert and some heavily pollarded plane trees.

Here lies Leonardo, artist and genius of the renaissance.

The chapel interior.

 The Royal Lodge, from the grounds.

Another view across the grounds.

Interesting and immaculate garden design. The box garden.

Parfait!

This bust of Leonardo stands on the original site of his burial.

Inside the chateau, a portrait of a young Francoise d'Angouléme, future King Francoise I.

The council chamber

Fireplace in the council chamber.

King Francoise and his Queen.

The Orléans Chambre.