Château D’Amboise

Fra Giocondo and Domenico da Cortona, two Italian mason builders, hired by Charles VIII, created the first Renaissance decorative motifs. During his voyages in the 1490s, Charles VIII discovered the Italian Renaissance style and commissioned additions and renovations, giving Amboise a superb example of early Renaissance architecture. Louis XII, his successor, built the Renaissance wing perpendicular to the Gothic wing.

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The Chateau d'Amboise grounds are a wonderful blend of perfectly clipped cones and box balls. They perfectly match the chateau's majestic architecture. The minimalist colour scheme of green, white, and grey, with hints of pink and blue, complements the garden and castle well. A new garden with geometric stone slabs with rosemary, jasmine, cyprus, and laurel was added in 2005.

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One of the Chateau's attractions are the two towers, Tour Heurtault and Tous des Minimes. Rather than steps, the towers have a gentle slope to the summit. The quai serves as the entrance to the towers, while the slope provides access to the garden terrace for carriages and troops on horseback.

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The Chapel of Saint Hubert is a Gothic chapel positioned precisely on the edge of the chateau's wall, erected between 1491 and 1496. The chapel, despite its tiny size, is beautifully built and portrays the story of Saint Hubert. The church's stunning sculptures and architecture make it a must-see for visitors.

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Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian genius, was buried at the Chapel of Saint Hubert. After the church of St. Florentin in Amboise was razed during the French Revolution, Da Vinci's bones were moved to the Chapel of Saint Hubert.

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The Châteliers peninsula has been an appropriate observation position for the confluence of the Loire and one of its tributaries, the Amasse, since Neolithic times. It was approximately 40 metres tall and provided excellent natural defence. The town became the capital of the Turones, a Celtic people who named the future province of Touraine after themselves. Since this time, the site has been fortified. Roman legions also inhabited this fortified location. According to local legend, Julius Caesar (100 BC- 44 BC) was smitten with the Amboise oppidum here.

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The arrival of Charles VII (1403-1422-1461) and his wife Marie of Anjou (1404-1463) at Bourges marked the start of the French kings' stay in the Loire Valley. On the other hand, the latter favoured the fortified Château of Amboise over the Châteaux of Loches and Chinon. The king's enduring affection for his childhood château undoubtedly inspired his decision to turn the erstwhile mediaeval stronghold into a spectacular Gothic palace. Charles VIII was also the château's great architect since he oversaw the construction of two ceremonial loggias and a chapel in his father's oratory.

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Amboise kept its function as a fortification at the end of the 16th century due to its strategic location. Still, it also became a residence for French sovereigns who remained there during their trips around the kingdom. Louis XIII gave the order for the construction of new defences in 1620. However, due to a lack of upkeep, the château began to deteriorate. Between 1627 and 1660, the principal elements of the loggia inside the château's western wing were dismantled. 

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The Consulate (1799-1804) and the Empire (1804-1814/1815) marked the beginning of a new era in the Château's history. Senator Roger Ducos (1747-1816), a former member of the Directory, was given Amboise in 1803. The Senator was thanked by the First Consul Napoléon Bonaparte (future Napoléon Ier) for his assistance in taking power. In 1806, the Senator ordered the destruction of 'useless or dilapidated' buildings to renovate the Château' (the Loggia of the Seven Virtues and neighbouring buildings). He notably destroyed the Henri II wing, St. Florentin Collegiate Church (an 11th-century structure), and the canon's home. The garden has also been renovated. The entire project was completed in 1811.