Things to do in Amboise

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in France

Chateau de Chenonceau

Chateau de Chenonceau, located in France's Loire Valley, is a romantic water castle. The castle spansXie'erheattracting visitors from all over the world with its unique architectural style and rich historical background. When visiting Chateau de Chenonceau, you can stroll through the exquisite French gardens and admire the changing natural beauty of the four seasons. Inside the castle, you can learn about important figures and events in French history and experience the lifestyle of medieval nobility. In addition, the castle regularly hosts various cultural activities, such as concerts, theatrical performances, and art exhibitions, providing visitors with a rich cultural experience. It is also worth mentioning that every summer, the castle holds a night light show, telling the story of the castle with light and shadow, bringing visitors a unique visual feast.

No. 12 of Family-friendly Attractions in France

Amboise Royal Castle

French kings from Charles VII to François I have lived in the former medieval fortress of Amboise. The castle is the birthplace of the French Renaissance. Although some of the furniture was destroyed during the Revolution, the castle of Amboise has preserved a collection of fine decorative art from the Gothic period to the Renaissance, an architectural masterpiece that gave birth to French Renaissance architecture. Leonardo da Vinci will dedicate all his talents to bring the castle to life.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Centre-Val de Loire

Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci

Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci is located in France's Loire Valley, a Renaissance-style castle brimming with historical charm. Visitors can stroll through the grand halls of Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci, admiring exquisite frescoes and sculptures while experiencing medieval aristocratic life. The castle's uniquely designed gardens bloom year-round, making them a photographer's paradise. Additionally, Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci regularly hosts historical reenactments like knight tournaments and court balls, allowing visitors to step back in time and immerse themselves in France's romantic and glorious past. The surrounding natural landscapes are equally enchanting, perfect for hiking or riding explorations.

No. 9 of Fall Viewing Attractions in France

Loire Valley

Famous for its magnificent castles and beautiful natural scenery, the Loire Valley is an ideal destination for culture and history lovers. Known as the "Garden of France", the valley is rich in vineyards and orchards, where visitors can experience the local food and wine. The castles in the valley, such as Chambord and Chenonceau, are treasures of architectural art, showcasing the splendor of the Renaissance. Visitors can stroll through the castle gardens and admire the exquisite architectural details and historical exhibitions. Many castles offer guided tours to help visitors gain an in-depth understanding of their historical background and architectural features. The valley is a paradise for cycling enthusiasts with many bicycle trails, where you can enjoy the natural scenery along the way. In addition, the various towns in the Loire Valley offer a wealth of dining options, from traditional French restaurants to local specialties. Whether exploring historical sites or enjoying natural beauty, the Loire Valley provides visitors with a fulfilling and unforgettable travel experience.

Grand Aquarium de Touraine

Mini Castle Park

Chateau Gaillard

The Chateau Gaillard in Amboise is a historic and charming castle. Although it is not as well-known as some other castles in the Loire Valley, it has a unique history and architectural style. The Chateau Gaillard was built by King Charles VIII of France in 1496 with the aim of introducing the Italian Renaissance style in France. Charles VIII was attracted by the Italian architectural and gardening styles during the Italian Wars, so he invited Italian architects and gardeners to design and build the castle. The design of the castle combines French and Italian architectural elements, reflecting the style of the Renaissance. The gardens around the castle are also a major feature. They were originally designed by Italian gardeners and demonstrated the advanced gardening techniques and design concepts of the time. A variety of fruit trees and plants are planted in the garden, forming a beautiful landscape.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Palace of Versailles

·Admire the ornate and imaginative architectural design of the Palace of Versailles ·Step into one of Europe's beautiful palace gardens and encounter forests, flower-lined paths, greenhouses, colonnades, temples, a village, and numerous marble statues scattered throughout ·Don't miss the Hall of Abundance, the Hall of Mars, the Hall of Peace, the Chapel, the Theater, and the King's and Queen's State Apartments. The Palace of Versailles was built during the reign of Louis XIV of France (1643-1715) and consists of the main palace castle, the gardens, the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and the Queen's Hamlet of Marie Antoinette. On the first floor of the Palace of Versailles, there are the suites of the Dauphin and princesses, the chapel, and the palace history gallery. Its main views are concentrated on the second floor of the main building and in the gardens. Grand Trianon: Although it is much plainer than the main palace castle, it is the most elegant and refined of all the buildings in the Palace of Versailles. This palace, which is heavily influenced by Italian architectural styles, has only one floor. It is situated between courtyards and gardens, and is covered with a flat roof surrounded by a balustrade. Petit Trianon: This is a typical classical-style building, featuring a studio, bedroom, dressing room, and more. The Queen's Grove: The layout here reveals the Queen's wide-ranging interests and elegant taste, far from the extravagance of Versailles and not without traces of Enlightenment thought. △ The garden is bisected by a central east-west axis, with flowerbeds, tree-lined avenues, pools, and several fountains arranged on either side. Among them, the Latona Fountain and the Apollo Fountain lie on the central axis, featuring exquisite sculptures. △ The palace was decorated magnificently, with colorful marble walls dazzling to the eye and giant crystal chandeliers cascading down like waterfalls. △ The inner walls and dome are covered with murals, and the mythological stories depicted are so vivid that they seem to recount the glorious military achievements of the kings of the past.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Eiffel Tower

·Climb the Eiffel Tower-a cultural symbol of France and one of the landmark buildings in Paris ·Overlook the beautiful city scenery of Paris, the whole Paris is at your feet, like a huge map in front of you. ·Learn about the tower's more than 100-year history through objects, posters, photos, sculptures, paintings and videos at the observation deck on the ground floor △ A new cultural path(1st floor): Screens, touch screens, displays, digital albums, reproductions of items, etc. allow you to find out about all aspects of the Eiffel Tower, many little known. △ Your arrival on the 2nd floor is marked by amazement: Paris in all her splendour greets your incredulous eyes. You will enjoy clear views of all of the French capital's monuments: the Louvre, Gran Palais, the bends in the Seine, Montmartre, Invalides, Notre Dame, etc. △ After a spectacular ascent in glass-walled lifts, you're finally here. 276m up with only the antennae above you, Paris lies at your feet. The noise of the boulevards can't reach you here, but the wind catches you and your heart begins to race.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Musee d'Orsay

The Musee d'Orsay, hailed as the "temple of Impressionism," offers visitors the chance to admire numerous Impressionist masterpieces by great artists and experience the magic of color and light. In the museum square, six bronze statues represent the six continents of the world; inside the museum, beneath the large glass dome, natural light pours through the glass onto each painting. Bathed in this natural light, one can more vividly experience the charm of the artworks and the creative passion of the artists. The palace of art, the holy land of "Impressionism" Across the river from the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay houses a collection of approx. over 4,000 artworks, including a vast array of French art created between 1848 and 1914, spanning painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and photography. Its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings enjoys worldwide renown—masterpieces such as Monet's "Gare Saint-Lazare," Renoir's "Bal du moulin de la Galette," Van Gogh's "Starry Night Over the Rhône," and Manet's "Olympia" are all displayed here. Locals often say that for art created before 1848, one should go to the Louvre, and for modern art after 1914, one should go to the Centre Pompidou—and this museum bridges the two periods perfectly. Stepping inside, traces of the former railway station are still faintly discernible. At the center of the ground-floor hall runs a sculpture promenade, with exhibition rooms on both sides mainly displaying paintings and sculptures from the mid-19th century. At the far end stands a large cutaway model of the Paris Opera (Palais Garnier), meticulously revealing the opera house's interior structure. Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings are concentrated on the top floor, converted from the hotel rooms on the upper level of the former railway station. The space feels more intimate, and the natural light from the south-facing skylights evokes the lighting conditions under which the painters created their works. Six bronze statues stand in the square, each representing one of the world's six continents—relics of the original 1878 Exposition Universelle. Get a close-up view of the iconic clock at Musee d'Orsay