Loire Valley

Amboise

The Loire Valley is just 2 hours from Paris with train, car or with a tour.

Amboise has both sides of the Loire and in the middle l'Ile d'Or (Golden Island). Leonardo da Vinci retired here.

There are so many castles, don't be overwhelmed! Choose only 2 or 3 during your trip. Come to the Loire Valley to visit the main castles

Save 20% Home Exchange using code: cdispatch10. Swap your homes for your vacation now!

BEST HOTELS NEAR AMBOISE

Why not to spend the night in a castle!

Château de Noizay Promenade de Waulsort 37210 Noizay (Indre-et-Loire). Tel. : 02 47 52 11 01. E-mail : noizay@relaischateaux.com - 4 km of Amboise, this castle was built in 1560, mystical atmosphere. Special children menu. Activities: Golf, Tennis, Outdoor pool, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, water-skiing, canoeing, Flying club, helicopter, massages.

Le Chateau de Pray Route de Chargé 37400 Amboise France. Phone : 02 47 57 23 67 -Overlooking the Loire Valley the Chateau de Pray is majestic, 750 year old fortified castle.

Le Manoir des Minimes 34 Quai Charles Guinot 37400 AMBOISE - Tel : 02 47 30 40 40. Four stars hotel in the heart of Amboise is a good place to experience the Chateau life, Special offers promotion winter from December 14th 2010 to March 31st 2011. Reservation could be done online news.manoirlesminimes.com

Festivals, parades, funfairs, fireworks in Paris...Click here

BEST RESTAURANTS

The food here is delicious try the rillettes, a pate made with pork generally be eaten with a cornichon a baby pickle, andouillette sausage inside chitterlings and some delicate fish of the rivers like the trout, smelt. Some cheese named crottin de Chavignol is a small goat cheese served sometimes with a green salad. The famous dessert la tarte tatin is a apple tart upside down with caramel.

The wines my favorite is the sancerre mostly white but could be also red. The Vouvray is sweeter.

Le Pavillon des Lys 9 rue d'Orange Amboise. Tel 02 47 30 01 01. Better to reserve ahead, elegant setting, terrace also vegetarian menu.

L'Epicerie 46 place Michel Debre. Phone 02 47 57 08 94. Classic cuisine facing the Chateau.

L'Alliance 14 rue Joyeuse. Phone 02 47 30 52 13. Regional specialties.

SIGHTS IN AMBOISE

Chateau d'Amboise Historic royal residence designed by Leonardo Da Vinci. Considering one of the best show in this area Chateau d'Amboise Sound and light Show in June, July and August more information regarding the hours at www.renaissance-amboise.com (scenes of French Renaissance, fire works, horse scenes...).

Mini-Chateaux Route to Chenonceaux this 2 hectares park shows 45 miniatures of the finestcastles of the Loire Valley ...a maze makes your children happy! www.mini-chateaux.com

Wine tasting in Vouvray Nearby the town of Vouvray 10 miles between Tours and Amboise. Reserve for wine and cheese tasting at 02 47 52 61 44.

Hot Air Balloon Rides Unforgettable ride over the chateaux, vineyards, villages. Take off sites : Chenonceaux, Amboise, Chaumont sur Loire, Loches. Reserve by the site www.france-balloons.com go to Val de Loire offer packages too with hotel.

Above the Castles of the Loire

Return from Loire Valley Amboise to Paris Vacations