Touraine – Loire valley : for a quality destination The Royal Château of Amboise together with 12 other sites, among the most prestigious, have introduced in partnership with the Departmental Committee of Tourism in Touraine a common set of standards « The quality of tourist and cultural sites in the Loire valley ». By following these procedures and respecting the new criteria in terms of welcoming visitors and offering services will allow them to obtain in a near future (2009-2010) a national Tourism Quality label.

The Loire river seen from the Château of Amboise

Commitments towards visitors of tourist,
cultural and national heritage sites in the Loire valley: the main principles

The whole site is clean and well kept. The equipment is in good condition and functions correctly. Running the site is done so in full respect of the environment: management of approach areas, management of the buildings, of surrounding countryside and parkland, and of waste.

Commitments undertaken prior to a visit :

Documents for the general public provide full information.
There exists a website; this site is user-friendly and offers a true representation of the actual site.
Reception by phone is efficient and courteous.
Response to e-mails and faxes is both precise and rapid (less than 48 hours); replies are given to the requests made by the customer.
Group booking is precise and rapid. Parking is easy and clearly-indicated. The environment has been preserved.

On-site welcome :
Notices on display at the entrance to the site are complete and informative.
The entrance to the site is obvious to find and welcoming. Personalized welcome makes the site even more attractive.
The ticket office is adapted to the number of visitors welcomed to the site (opening of a new reception area in Spring 2008)
Toilet facilities are kept clean and are under supervision.
The site offers facilities which are complementary to the visit: a boutique, an ice-cream vendor (during the summer season).
The site proposes entertainment (at least 3 different shows per year) A boutique presents products directly in relation with the site.

Visits :
The information on the visits is clearly displayed at reception.
The written commentaries are both valid and well-written.
The comfort and safety of the visitor are guaranteed in all cases.

Free visits :
A map of the visit is given to the visitors.
The personnel is available and attentive.

Guided visits :
The visit is arranged so as to satisfy the visitor.
The guide adapts the tour so that the visitors are satisfied.
The guide invites the visitor to appreciate other points of interest on the site and in the region.

The other sites which accepted these commitments in order to obtain the Tourism Quality label
Château of Chenonceau (Chenonceaux) ; Château of Clos-Lucé (Amboise) ; Bateau Saint Martin (Rochecorbon) ; Royal city of Loches ; Museum of Balzac (Saché) ; Troglodyte valley of the Goupillières (Azay-le-Rideau) ; Château of Azay-le-Rideau ; Gardens and château of Villandry ; Château of Rivau (Lémeré) ; Château of Langeais ; Château of Blois ; Château of Valençay.