Our favorite spots in Amboise
🍦 Maison Bigot - Bakery, pastry shop, and café with a lovely terrace overlooking the Royal Château of Amboise. Serves some of the best ice cream we’ve ever had.
🛒 Galland - Gourmet grocery offering a wide range of spices, wines, and spirits from the region and beyond. Perfect for food-lover gifts. Located in the center of Amboise.
🚲 Locacyle - Bike rentals for €18/day to explore the cycling paths along the Loire River. Conveniently located and friendly service.
😋 Baalbeck - Amazing Lebanese restaurant right in the heart of Amboise. Make sure to book ahead!
Chambord Castle
Villandry Castle
Chenonceau Castle
Our favorite things to do in the Loire Valley
Visit the Loire Valley Castles
🏰 Chenonceau Castle – The most elegant one (Eve and Maxime's favorite). A 15-minute drive from Amboise. Information and tickets.
🌿 Villandry Castle – The most beautiful gardens. A 40-minute drive from Amboise. Information and tickets.
🦌 Chambord Castle – The most famous one. A 1-hour drive from Amboise. Information and tickets.
Try local wines and walk around vineyards
🍷 Plou & Fils - Visit the troglodyte wine cellars and stroll through the vineyards of this family-run estate founded in the early 16th century (Free - Information and reservation).
Go into town in Tours
Half an hour from Amboise, Tours is the main city in the region, and a great place to walk around, see the history, enjoy wonderful French food or go shopping.
🍽 Dalhia - Short, all-star menu, it's Maxime and Eve's favorite!🍸 Place Plumereau - the city square dates back to the 15th century and is a great spot to grab a drink in the sunshine.⛪️ Saint-Gatien Cathedral - With its magnificent Gothic façade, collection of dazzling stained glass windows and grandiose nave, it's a must-visit if you're from out of town.
Half an hour from Amboise, Tours is the main city in the region, and a great place to walk around, see the history, enjoy wonderful French food or go shopping.
🍽 Dalhia - Short, all-star menu, it's Maxime and Eve's favorite!🍸 Place Plumereau - the city square dates back to the 15th century and is a great spot to grab a drink in the sunshine.⛪️ Saint-Gatien Cathedral - With its magnificent Gothic façade, collection of dazzling stained glass windows and grandiose nave, it's a must-visit if you're from out of town.
Traveling in France: Tips & Tricks
🚗 Getting Around
- Car rentals are available in Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, and are often the easiest way to explore the Loire Valley at your own pace.
- Taxis & rideshares: Uber is not widely available outside major cities, and there are very few taxis, so it’s best to book them in advance. We highly recommend renting a car for comfort and flexibility.
- If you’re driving, watch out for speed cameras and always carry your driver’s license and rental papers.
🏦 Money & Payments
- Cards everywhere: Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted, even in small cafés.
- Tipping: Service is included in restaurant bills. For excellent service, it’s customary to round up or leave a euro or two.
- ATMs: Cash machines are easy to find in towns like Amboise or Tours.
📱 Connectivity
- Most cafés, hotels, and Airbnbs offer free Wi-Fi.
- For longer stays, you can buy a local SIM card (e.g., Orange, SFR, Bouygues) at any supermarket or phone shop.
- Outlets use Type E plugs (European two-round-pin) – bring an adapter if you’re coming from outside Europe.
🕐 Timing & Culture
- Shops often close between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. for lunch and may close earlier on Sundays or Mondays.
- Dinner usually starts after 7:30 p.m., and in the summer, we recommend calling ahead and booking a table, especially in smaller towns.
- Saying “Bonjour!” or “Bonsoir!” goes a long way when entering a shop or restaurant.