John and I enjoyed our visit to Amboise in the Loire Valley. It's a picturesque town on the banks of the Loire River.

View of the Amboise chateau from the "high street"

 

 

 

The chateau is strategically perched high above the town.

 

 

 

 

Only part of the castle exists today. 

Fiona at the chateau at Amboise

However there are plenty of reminders of the times when armoured men on horseback fought on the battlements.

 

John on lookout duty at the chateau at Amboise

 

From the top of the tower they would have soon spotted any enemies approaching.  The view of the town and surrounding countryside was amazing.

 

 

 

 

Later we took a pleasant stroll around the Italian styled gardens.

Another fancy Italian design

 

Leonardo da Vinci's tomb is in the chapel in the castle grounds. 

John, Leonardo and the planets

 

 

Also in the gardens is a statue of Leonardo near the sculpture of the planets.

 

 

 

Earlier in the day we had a very interesting visit to Clos Lucé, the house where he used to live.

See more photos from our holiday in the Loire Valley and our visit to Amboise in 2006 when we went hot air ballooning.