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Centre-Val de Loire
Indre-et-Loire
Amboise
Things to Do in Amboise
Chateau Gaillard

Chateau Gaillard, Amboise: Hours, Address, Chateau Gaillard Reviews: 4.5/5

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Chateau Gaillard

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Chateau Gaillard
4.5
656
#3 of 28 things to do in Amboise
Castles • Gardens • Art Museums
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11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The most Italian Chateau in the Loire Valley ! The Royal Estate of Chateau Gaillard is a 15 hectares paradise of greenery located in the heart of the city of Amboise. It is the forgotten Paradise of the Renaissance in Touraine. On his return from Italy in 1496, young King Charles VIII fell in love with Italian cities and palaces and decided to recreate a "Paradise on Earth" at Chateau Gaillard in Amboise. In order to fulfill this dream, he convinced 22 Italian artists to come back with him to Amboise. Dom Pacello, the most famous gardener in 1500 in Europe, was leading the team. He planted the first gardens of the French Renaissance at Chateau Gaillard and acclimated the first orange trees in France. After 5 years of intensive restoration carried out by 50 artisans and craftsmen from the Loire Valley the castle is now open to the public. A diving into a marvelous story and fascinating unknown treasures such as a collection of 250 citrus & an ARCIMBOLDO bust (Free Car Park 99)
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Admission tickets
from $15.16
All you need to step foot in the door.
Full view
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Top ways to experience Chateau Gaillard and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
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541
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89
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44 within 6 miles
Le Château du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci
6,240
0.5 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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5,510
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228
0.8 miWineries & Vineyards
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897
1 miParks
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138
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48
0.8 miChurches & Cathedrals
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180
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6
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
656 reviews
Excellent
434
Very good
144
Average
43
Poor
22
Terrible
13
DAJ2908
22 contributions
If you love gardens, this is place to visit
Jul 2020 • Couples
A lovely secluded chateau beautifully restored by the current owner, a room is dedicated to the restoration- a labour of love. You can bring a picnic and sit in the garden on the deck chairs looking at the chateau. You can wander in the forest, check out their vegetable garden, we took some good ideas from this visit. At the end of the visit you can drink a delicious freshly squeezed orange juice with a lovely moist orange cake. To top it off, if you are a dog lover you could get to meet Max, the beautiful black resident Labrador, a big strong lad, but very obedient. The staff were first class and the owner charming.
Written July 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
bernardbieger
San Diego, CA3 contributions
A Gem being reborn
Apr 2016 • Couples
A week ago, we visited Château-Gaillard and couldn’t have been more amazed!
Currently undergoing extensive restauration of castle and grounds, this hidden gem is being reborn by its new owner. Main focus is the restauration of the gardens according to original designs by Dom Pacello, the “Leonardo” of landscaping and King François I's Master Gardener. Any nature lover will enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, while architecture aficionados can admire one of the finest Renaissance buildings in the Loire region. Short stroll from a parking lot, we walked through the open gates unaware that the grounds were actually closed. But a generous owner, overseeing restauration projects, nonetheless invited us to roam the lush grounds as well as parts of the Château. Treated like royalty, we took our time to admire this serene and beautiful location in close proximity to Leonardo Da Vinci’s last residence, the Château-Clos du Lucé. No Amboise visit will be complete without stopping by Château-Gaillard.
We thank again our generous host, Mr. Marc L., and wish him all the best in his admirable efforts to restore the Château to its original splendors!

Valerie et Bernard
Written April 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dompacello
Dear Visitors Thank you for your kind words about the hidden and lost royal paradise of Chateau Gaillard ! We look forward to see you again in the Citrus Domain of Dom Pacello de Mercoliano ! with kind regards The management
Written May 9, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Peter V
Amboise, France354 contributions
First class restoration
Sep 2014 • Family
The new owners of Château Gaillard, where Mary Queen of Scots was first married to François II, are doing a first-class job of restoring the château which had fallen into disrepair. Nothing is being spared in terms of landscape gardening, and expert stone and wood-work. When I visited the owners were on hand and very informative about their plans for the future. All in all an instructive and enjoyable visit.
Written October 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KAW687
London, UK1,943 contributions
Perhaps not worth the entrance fee for non French speakers
Oct 2019
This a pretty small chateaux, still a work in progress. When we visited it was dressed for Halloween and was quite amusing. However the entrance fee is very steep, it includes a guided tour but we were told this was only for French speakers. Other places in the region have audio guides in other languages. There was a nice member of staff there who seemed to be doing everything and she served us good orange juice and cake from the little cafe. Beware of the walk behind the castle it is extremely steep and we saw several people struggling to get back down.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marc L
Dear visitor Thank you for your visit Our team is here to welcome all our guests and 5 out 6 do speak English fluently The entry ticket offers a guided tour , true , which makes it one of the lowest of the region During the high season guided tours are in English also ending at the beginning of November The domain has been open for the first time to the public in 2016 after 5 years of full renovation which is almost finished now . 300 workers, 40 companies , 100 000 hours of work with no public or state contribution Saving this royal domain has been a challenge , achieved now for the pleasure of the public and visitors . Every year we add new events and exhibitions and also enriching collections . Park , Gardens , châteaux within 15 hectares in the heart of AMBOISE are offering a unique moment . See you next time
Written January 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SLBM
8 contributions
Much smaller than anticipated
Sep 2021
The map made us feel like we could spend hours there. The castle can be seen in 15-20 minutes and the gardens in about 30-45 minutes max. It is pretty and well rebuilt, but it felt a bit short on things to see for 14 euro-tickets.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marc L
Dear visitor 15 hectares in the heart of Amboise is not a small thing but a unique domain entirely renovated in 5 years by 300 workers and 40 artisans of art Sorry to hear that you have been spending only 20 minutes in the castle !!! How can it be given the collections ? And the gardens …taking the time to feel and smell a pharaonic restauration of the first Renaissance gardens in France Have you been visiting the seven path of paradise ? The olfactive cave ? Just the video telling the story of the domain is lasting 10 minutes … And the renovation exhibition in the chapel ? We are sorry to see you did not appreciate this moment . Hope to see you soon Best regards
Written September 10, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Daisy100London
London46 contributions
Very poor value, overpriced
Jul 2020
This chateau has history and has only been restored since 2011. You need to walk 200 metres along a track from a general carpark and there are few signs, it’s really puzzling. There were few visitors when we were there. There are rooms filled with historic furniture, presumably bought in from outside or made specially. It feels a bit like a theme park. Refreshment place doesn’t do hot drinks and is expensive. Very little to see compared with established chateaux. Poor value. It’s not a gem and it’s no longer hidden, someone presumably bought it, restored it and opened it as a tourist attraction. You can easily give it a miss.
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marc L
Dear visitor Strange comment indeed We do serve hot drinks for 3 euros !? Expensive ? Fortunately 50 000 other visitors per year think different than you ... 8 years of efforts and the hard work of hundreds of people have been the reality of the domain discovery
Written August 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kittie01
Launceston, Australia479 contributions
Living history; very pleasant
Oct 2019 • Couples
A good place to visit for anyone with an interest in garden history. There is a small orangery and large terrace with a range of potted citrus, providing the chance to see some unusual varieties. Also a potager style garden on a domestic scale. We watched a video in French about the introduction of orange cultivation to France. The grounds are pretty for a relaxing walk and we liked the “lived-in” atmosphere of the furnished rooms inside, particularly the cosy, roaring fire in the kitchen. Everything is displayed well. We also sat on the terrace enjoying freshly squeezed orange juice and orange cake. Less busy and more boutique than many places we visited so staff had more time to provide information and answer questions.
Written November 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marc L
Dear Kittie Thanks so much for your comment and kind visit Indeed we do believe in a warm and emotional tourism based on culture , taste and surprises Château Gaillard is a living castle See you soon
Written November 29, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Septis R
Orlando, FL98 contributions
Beautiful gardens
Sep 2019
The walk from Amboise to the Château-Gaillard was quintessential French and then Siri takes you somewhere else instead 🤨. However after all the walking and getting lost , thanks to bad navigation by Siri , we finally arrived at this beautiful place with a garden I wish I had. I highly recommend this place along with a the grand stroll 😊.
Written September 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marc L
The paradise isn’t not easy to discover and get ! True ! But once you are there you may enjoy it’s pleasures Thank you !
Written September 15, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SeeWilliam
Portland, OR28 contributions
Best Chateau visit in Loire Valley
Aug 2019
We stumbled across this in Amboise, not far from our hotel. Chose it over the da Vinci. Totally charming, and maybe 10 other visitors the whole time we were there. Wonderful grounds, and a perspective on life in the 18th century.
Written August 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marc L
The pleasure of visiting without being spoiled by the crowd ! The paradise has a face Thank you for your visit !
Written September 15, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jeremypetty1
North Carolina234 contributions
Unexpected surprise!
Jul 2019 • Couples
Unexpected suprise "gem". Tried it out on a whim after visiting the more famous chateaus in the immediate area. Recently restored. Family actually lives there. Worth 10 Euro and an hour of your time. Go visit!
Written July 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chateau Gaillard
Chateau Gaillard is open:
  • Sun - Sat 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
Chateau Gaillard admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $15.01, while a popular guided tour starts around $204.79 per person. See all 4 Chateau Gaillard tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
Chateau Gaillard can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 4 Chateau Gaillard tickets and tours on Tripadvisor