A day in Touraine, east side ( pdf , 1 Mo )

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TO EXPLORE
TOURAINE
Pays Loire Touraine
A day in Eastern Touraine
Château royal
d’Amboise Association
Milière Raboton
Bateau-promenade
Le Saint-Martin-de-Tours
Amboise
It is often said that Amboise has the most Italian flair of all the Loire Valley cities. The presence of
many tourists from the other side of the Alps is a cheerful reminder of what the Italian Renaissance
brought to the area five centuries ago. The town is best explored on foot, with its shopping areas and
esplanades located along the docks of the Loire. Don’t miss the breathtaking view from the Ile d’or.
TOURS
Château de la
Bourdaisière
Château du
Clos-Lucé
Château de
Chenonceau
Office de Tourisme du Val d’Amboise - Quai du Général de Gaulle - 37400 Amboise
Phone: 00 33 (0) 247 57 09 28 - www.amboise-valdeloire.com
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Château royal d’Amboise
Perched on a promontory overlooking the Loire, the castle of Charles VIII and
Francis I reveals its medieval secrets little by little: part of its underground
passageways and the majestic Minimes cavalry tower. Surrounded by
landscaped gardens, this highly significant site in the history of France also
houses an exceptional collection of Gothic and Renaissance furniture. The
tomb of Leonardo da Vinci, who
spent his final years in Amboise, is
located in the chapel.
Clos Lucé - Parc Leonardo da Vinci
This beautiful pink brick building is where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last
three years of his life. Visit the large Renaissance hall, the bedroom, the
kitchen and enter the private world of this genius and discover his ingenious
models. Canvases, giant machines and sound posts garnish an entertaining
trail across the vast park, in
order to complete your trip into
the world of this visionary artist
and his fabulous inventions.
INFORMATION
Château royal d’Amboise
37400 Amboise
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 57 00 98
INFORMATION
Le Clos Lucé - 37400 Amboise
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 57 00 73
www.chateau-amboise.com
www.vinci-closluce.com
Suggestion: Lunch in Amboise A large variety of restaurants can be found in the town centre, whether
you want to grab a quick snack, or enjoy a sit-down meal.
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Visit a wine cellar
AOC Touraine Amboise
INFORMATION
Caves touristiques du Val de Loire
Interprofession « Interloire »
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 60 55 00
Outing on the Loire
Go for a boat ride on the Loire on one of the Association Millière-Raboton’s
traditional boats (reservations required, trips start in Amboise and last
for 1 to 2 hours), or on the SaintMartin-de-Tours (set departure
times, from Rochecorbon
55 min).
INFORMATION
Saint-Martin-de-Tours:
www.vinsdeloire.fr
www.naviloire.com
Millière Raboton:
www.milliere-raboton.net
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Château de Chenonceau
Its arches gracefully straddle the Cher. Beloved home of Diane de Poitiers and
Catherine de Medicis, Chenonceau is the second most visited castle in France,
after Versailles. This 16th century castle is marvellously furnished (the kitchens
are a delight!) and an iPod tour is available. The gardens planted all around the
keep will enchant you, not to mention the delightful village, which is spelled
with an «x»!
INFORMATION
Château de Chenonceau
37150 Chenonceaux
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 23 90 07
www.chenonceau.com
The Tomato Conservatory
The cheerful garden patches are what makes La Bourdaisière unique, as well
as its Tomato Conservatory that houses no less than 600 heirloom varieties.
The 55-hectare park planted with trees also houses a dahlia garden, an
ancient orchard and a beautiful collection of medicinal plants. Formerly
a medieval fortress, the castle
underwent many transformations
before finally becoming a hotel.
INFORMATION
Château de la Bourdaisière
37270 Montlouis-s-Loire
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 45 16 31
www.chateaulaboudaisiere.com
Shopping list
Chocolates from «Bigot», AOC wine, heirloom tomato seeds from la
Bourdaisière.
Crédits photos: D. Darrault - S. Frémont - Image de Marc - JB Leroux
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