TRACING THE HISTORY OF CHATEAU D’AMBOISE
 
 

- The court of the Valois Kings



From neolithic times, the Promontoire des Chatelliers rock spur has been an ideal observation post at the confluence of the Loire and one of its affluents, the Amasse.
Since the Iron Age, this site was a place of craftwork and commercial ex changes. The town became the main city of the Turones, the celtic tribe who gave their name to the future area of Touraine. The site was fortified from this period onwards. The fortifications were progressively improved with the help of the rock.
In 503, Amboise entered into history when Clovis, King of the Francs and Alaric, King of the Visigoths met here.

- Rendez-vous at the Chateau with famous people from the 17th to the 19th century


After ascending the double ramp taken in former times by the footsoldiers, the visitor reaches the château terraces, opposite St- Hubert's Chapel. One can enjoy a panoramic view of the Loire Valley, the 15th and 16th century buildings, the gardens planted with Mediterranean species and the two impressive 'horsel, men's towers .
However, the current building is onlr one-fifth of the "palace" constructed br Charles VIII.
This palace underwent periods of abandon and neglect, and several phases of organised demolition.

- Evolution of the monument in 19th and 20th centuries


Beginning with François I's reign, while the court generally stayed at Fontainebleau and the Louvre, the sovereign still appreciated Amboise, up to Henri II. The monarch's stays were more rare from Henri III's reign. The Court left the Touraine region definitively for Ile-de- France under Henri IV. From that time onwards, the Château d'Amboise was only a simple staging post for the Bourbon Kings.
The residence welcomed Louis XIII and Louis XIV several times. His grandson, Philippe, Duke of Anjou, also stayed here on the way to Spain from the II to 13 December 1700 before acceding to the throne of Spain under the name of Philippe V .

 
Château Royal d'Amboise > History
home - visit & practical information - 360° - events - receptions - history - contact - access map - press club - stay in the Loire valley - RSS feeds - legal terms - site map