The Royal Château of Amboise: a Loire palace where Leonardo lies buried
Perched above the town and the wide waters of the Loire, the Royal Château of Amboise was one of the favourite residences of the kings of France and a cradle of the French Renaissance. Behind its stout towers and terraced gardens unfolded court life at its most brilliant — and here, in a small Gothic chapel, rest the remains of Leonardo da Vinci.
Amboise marks the moment when the ideas and artists of the Italian Renaissance crossed the Alps and took root in France, transforming French art and architecture forever.
A favourite of French kings
From the late 15th century, Amboise became a principal royal residence. King Charles VIII, who was born at the château, rebuilt it on a grand scale and filled it with luxuries brought back from his campaigns in Italy; he died there in 1498 after accidentally striking his head on a low door lintel. His successors Louis XII and Francis I continued to embellish and enjoy the palace, and the young Francis I, raised at Amboise, would become the great royal patron of the Renaissance in France.
Leonardo da Vinci at Amboise
It was Francis I who, around 1516, invited the ageing Leonardo da Vinci to France, installing him nearby at the manor of Clos Lucé. Leonardo died in the Loire Valley in 1519, and his remains are traditionally held to lie in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, a jewel of flamboyant Gothic architecture on the château's ramparts. His tomb there is one of the most visited spots in the entire Loire Valley.
Towers, terraces and a darker chapter
Amboise is famous for its huge round towers, whose interior ramps were wide enough for horsemen and carriages to ride up to the terraces. Those terraces command sweeping views over the river and the town. The château also witnessed darker history: the Amboise Conspiracy of 1560, a failed Protestant plot during the French Wars of Religion, ended in brutal executions here. Much of the vast original complex was later demolished, but the surviving royal lodging, chapel and gardens remain magnificent.
Visiting the château
The Royal Château of Amboise is open to visitors year-round, with admission charged and audioguides available in several languages. A visit takes in the royal apartments, the Chapel of Saint-Hubert with Leonardo's tomb, the great towers and the panoramic gardens. The town of Amboise below is charming in its own right, and the nearby Clos Lucé, Leonardo's final home, makes a natural companion visit. Opening hours vary by season, so it is worth checking before arriving.
Location: Amboise, Indre-et-Loire, Loire Valley, FranceRole: royal residence of Charles VIII, Louis XII and Francis ILeonardo: traditionally buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert (died 1519)Highlights: royal apartments, great towers with rideable ramps, terraced gardensHistory: Charles VIII died here (1498); the Amboise Conspiracy (1560)Visiting: open year-round; admission charged; hours vary by season
