Centre-Val de Loire · Indre-et-Loire, France

Château Royal d'Amboise

The royal château rising directly above the Loire where the French Renaissance first took root: Charles VIII was born and died here, Francis I spent his youth here, and Leonardo da Vinci — the king's guest at nearby Clos Lucé — is buried in the château's chapel of Saint-Hubert.

At a glance

Built: 15th–16th centuries
Style: Late Gothic and early Renaissance
Commissioned by: Charles VIII and Louis XII; embellished under Francis I
Signature feature: Terrace ramparts above the Loire and the flamboyant chapel of Saint-Hubert
Leonardo: Da Vinci's presumed remains rest in the Saint-Hubert chapel
Royal drama: Charles VIII died at Amboise in 1498 after striking his head on a door lintel
Ownership: Fondation Saint-Louis (heritage of the House of France)
Visiting: Open to visitors year-round