Amboise Favorites

Fondest memory: One of my fondest memories is walking through the streets and alleys of Amboise, buying postcards from the souvenir shops, and treating myself to a pain au chocolat for the first time. I was so nervous about ordering in French in France for the first time, I mispronounced the French word for bread. Bread in French is pain, but it should be pronounced like "pan". I kept on asking for a "pain" (pronouncing it as you would in English), and the clerk didn't seem impressed. She eventually figured it out.

Fondest memory: My favourite part of Amboise was being able to visit the Clos Lucé, although a lot of it had to do with being with the right people at the right time. It was our first full day in France and we had just seen the Chateau de Chambord and were now admist Leonardo da Vinci's home goofing off in the garden. It was a bit surreal. I loved exploring Amboise on foot and walking with the class down through the streets between the main village and the Clos Lucé. There was something very romantic about it all, especially in October when everything in the Loire is so very picturesque.

Favorite thing: It is a good idea to call by at tourism office ,because you can find useful informations about the city, a complete list of Bed and Breakfast accommodations, night shows at the castle and a lot of guided tours around Amboise.

Quai du General de Gaulle.
www.amboise-valdeloire.com
tel: 02 47 57 09 28

Fondest memory: Hospitality

Favorite thing: It is great to swing along this little town with narrow streets, squares , hidden restaurants and bistros that seduces you with savoury flavours of fresh croissants. The silence surrounds you in the morning when the only noises are made by the merchants who opens their shops and austere sound of the bells.

Fondest memory: The silence and the colours at the sunset. And... the view from the bridge.

Favorite thing: Amboise is a charming castle village, just east of the city of Tours and 1 1/2 hours south of Paris by the TGV. Beautifully situated along the Loire River, this region is famous for its elegant chateaux and castles built by French kings. It is called "The Land of 1,000 Chateaux!"

The Chateau of Amboise, one of the first truly " royal " residences of its kind, was built during the 15th and the 16th centuries on the orders of Charles VIII, Louis XII and Francois I. Amboise played a significant part in the terrible religious wars that tore France apart in the 16th century. It was the site of the massacre of several hundred Hugenots who were on their way to capture the king. Legend has it that Catherine de Médici and her court dined and watched the slaughter.

Fondest memory: It was the presence of Leonardo da Vinci that made the most impact of my visit to Amboise. During the three years Leonardo spent in France his influence touched many if not all or the renaissance chateaux of the Loire Valley. King Francis I invited Leonardo da Vinci to spend the last years of life in Amboise which was then the seat of the court of France. In autumn 1516 Leonardo arrived in Amboise. With him, was the famous painting Mona Lisa. Leonardo lived in Amboise in the small castle Cloux which is now called Le Clos Luce for the last three years of his life.

Favorite thing: Troglodytes are homes build into hillsides, taking advantage of the limestone that undergirds the Loire Valley to burrow residential caves underground. Amboise has numerous troglodytes along its main streets. I didn't get a chance to go into any of those - I don't how it would feel to live like a bat.

Favorite thing: Take your time to explore the little old city near the castle with its characteristical houses or walk on the boardwalk along the Loire river.

Fondest memory: One evening, we crossed the bridge to the island in the middle of the Loire river (in front of Amboise) and enjoyed the city and its castle by night. It's a magnificent view.

Favorite thing: We liked the medieval performance on Ascension day. I don't know whether it was only this once or whether it is every year, but a group of people were dressed like the Army and Nobles from the Middle Ages and danced on music from that period.
It took place in front of the castle, the right location :-)