From Tours: Amboise & Clos Lucé Castle Day Trip

Explore two of the Loire Valley’s most fascinating Renaissance castles on a 6-hour guided tour from Tours, tracing the connection between French royalty and Leonardo da Vinci.

Getting started

Meet your English-speaking guide outside the Tours Tourist Office, opposite the train station, at 9:30am. Board a comfortable minivan with a small group of up to 8 guests and head to Amboise, where your château visits begin.

What to expect

Château du Clos Lucé

Step inside the final residence of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last three years here as a guest of King Francis I. Explore the rooms where the Renaissance genius lived and worked, and discover how his ideas shaped art, science, and engineering.

Features:

• Leonardo's private rooms: Visit his bedroom, kitchen, and living spaces, preserved to evoke everyday life during the Renaissance.

• Workshops and inventions: Discover reconstructions of Leonardo's workspace and the remarkable ideas behind his engineering designs.

• Leonardo da Vinci Park: Explore the landscaped grounds featuring life-size models of his inventions, including interactive machines inspired by his drawings.

Free time in Amboise

Take a break in Amboise's historic center, where you'll have time to enjoy lunch at your own expense. Explore local bistros, crêperies, or bakeries before continuing to the next château.

Château Royal d'Amboise

Continue to this former royal residence overlooking the Loire River. Once home to generations of French monarchs, the château offers a glimpse into Renaissance court life, royal ambitions, and the close relationship between Francis I and Leonardo da Vinci.

Features:

• Royal chambers: Walk through historic interiors and learn how French kings lived, entertained, and governed from the château.

• Cavalier towers: Admire the monumental spiral ramps that once allowed horses and carriages to move between the château and the town below.

• Mediterranean gardens: Stroll through landscaped terraces with panoramic views of the Loire River and surrounding countryside.

• Leonardo's legacy: Discover the château's connection to the artist and the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, where Leonardo da Vinci's tomb is located.

After exploring the royal château, return to Tours by minivan, arriving at approximately 3:30pm.