Our first stop today, the Chateau Royal. Occupied since Neolithic times, Amboise became the main settlement of the Turones, a Celtic people. The first fortifications were built on the rocky spur and favoured the development of Gallo-Romanesque style. In 4thC AD, the first trenches of the chateau were dug to defend the residences built above the town. The fortress was fiercely disputed during medieval times, between the counts of Anjou and Blois. 

Chateau Royal was one of the favorite sites of the kings of France when they transformed their country during the Renaissance period. Phillippe-Auguste, Louis X1, Anne de Bretagne, François 1, Charles V111 and Léonard de Vinci (buried in St Hubert chapel @ the castle), have all had an impact on the chateau’s design.

From its elevated position at the tip of a rocky outcrop, the royal castle of Amboise offers a unique panorama over the landscapes of the Loire Valley. 

And the gardens are a panorama in themselves. Vines and topiary, a main courtyard with a planting of lime trees, a charming mix of immaculately clipped box balls and cones; tall slender Italian cyprus add height and interest; the oriental garden and south of France garden…the colour scheme is a simple mix of green, grey and white – with occasional blues and pinks to brighten the mix.

Some eclectic pics from Chateau wanderings:

18thC chair with Chinoiserie decoration

Great Hall provided a setting for the Royal Court where senior lords and their wives met to discuss the issues of the day

Lebanese cedar tree planted in 1840

 A photograph of Emir Abdelkader (1808-1883), who was an Algerian religious and military leader who led a struggle against the French colonial invasion of Algiers in the early 19th century. He was captured by French troops in 1847 and was transported to the Chateau d’Amboise as his residence, with family and a retinue of 80 people. The Emir spent 4 years at the Chateau before being personally freed by Napoleon.

After our chateau visit, Terry and John had dessert @ Patisserie Bigot, heres’ a pic of Terry’s Apricot tart….yum, but John’s choccy macaron looked great too.

Decided after dinner to see both Chateau d’Amboise and Chateau Chenonceau lit up at night….the latter required a 15 mins journey out of Amboise to a point by the river Cher, and then a walk in the dark through Park de Francueil to Chenonceau. Thank god John had a head torch light…lit the pathway for us… and Terry and John are both such good sports, couldn’t have taken these shots without them.

And on the way home in Amboise…..