Château Royal d'Amboise
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Château Royal d'Amboise, located in Amboise (Indre-et-Loire), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. It is classified as a Historic Monument. The monument is open to visitors, with an adult admission fee of 16.5€.
Key facts
- Type
- Castle
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Amboise, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire
- Protection
- Listed as Historic Monument
- Visit
- Open to visitors · 16.5€ adult
- GPS
- 47.4132, 0.9870
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00097711
Perched majestically above the Loire upon a rocky promontory, the Château Royal d'Amboise was the first royal residence of the French Renaissance. It was here that Léonard de Vinci drew his last breath, having been invited by François Ier, and here too that the conspirators of the turbulent Conjuration d'Amboise of 1560 were hanged.
© Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia
History
The Château Royal d'Amboise commands a strategic and spectacular position atop a rocky promontory overlooking the Loire. The favoured residence of the kings of France in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, it was the cradle of the French Renaissance and the stage upon which some of history's most defining moments were played out. Born at the château in 1470, Charles VIII embarked in 1492 on a sweeping transformation of the medieval fortress into a Renaissance palace, inspired by the arts he had encountered during his Italian campaign. He summoned craftsmen from Italy and introduced to France, for the very first time, the art of the Italian garden. Louis XII and François Ier would continue this ambitious work, making Amboise the most dazzling court in France during the first half of the sixteenth century. The two monumental towers — the Heurtault and the Minimes — each conceal broad helical ramps, designed to allow horsemen to ride directly up to the plateau above. The Chapelle Saint-Hubert, a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic architecture nestled against the château, houses the tomb of Léonard de Vinci, who died at the neighbouring Clos Lucé in 1519. The Wars of Religion would leave an indelible mark upon these stones: in 1560, the bodies of more than 1,200 Protestant conspirators were hanged from the balconies and battlements of the château.
Architecture
Medieval fortress transformed into a Renaissance palace. Tour Heurtault (equestrian helical ramp, Ø 21m). Tour des Minimes (equestrian ramp). Logis Charles VIII in Gothic style. Logis Louis XII in Renaissance style. Chapelle Saint-Hubert (Flamboyant Gothic, 1491–1496, sculpted lintel depicting the legend of Saint Hubert). Terraces commanding sweeping views over the Loire. Formal French gardens.
Related Figures
Charles VIIILouis XIIFrançois IerLéonard de VinciLouis XICatherine de MédicisHenri II
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Château Royal d'Amboise located?
Château Royal d'Amboise is located in Amboise, Indre-et-Loire department, Centre-Val de Loire region, France.
When was Château Royal d'Amboise built?
Château Royal d'Amboise dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Château Royal d'Amboise a listed Historic Monument?
Yes, Château Royal d'Amboise is classified (the highest level of protection) on the French national register of Historic Monuments (Base Mérimée, reference PA00097711).
Is Château Royal d'Amboise open to visitors?
Yes, Château Royal d'Amboise is open to visitors. Check opening hours on the official website before your visit.
What is the entrance fee for Château Royal d'Amboise?
The entrance fee is 16.5€ for adults, 10.5€ for children.
Where can I find more information about Château Royal d'Amboise?
You can find more information on the official website: https://www.chateau-amboise.com