The royal estate of Château Gaillard a Renaissance paradise in the heart of Amboise

Welcome to the royal paradise of Amboise, where orange blossom and Renaissance gardens tell the story of five centuries of history. In the heart of the Loire Valley, the Royal Estate of Château Gaillard invites you to discover its 15 hectares of greenery and elegant palazzo, witnesses to Charles VIII’s Italian dream. Visit this haven of peace where Dom Pacello, the most famous gardener of the Renaissance, created the first French-style gardens and acclimatised the kingdom’s first orange trees…

Where can you find this jewel of the Loire Valley?

In the heart of the town of Amboise, the estate welcomes you just a few steps from Clos-Lucé. After five years of pharaonic restoration by 50 craftsmen and artisans, this earthly paradise dreamt of by the young King Charles on his return from Italy has been restored to its former splendour. The main entrance, on avenue Leonardo da Vinci, opens onto a 15-hectare park where France’s first orange trees flourish.

Nested in a peaceful valley watered by the Amasse, this architectural gem offers a striking view of the slate roofs of the royal city. The Italian palaces that have so seduced lovers of transalpine towns find their most beautiful French expression here.

More about Château de Gaillard

@tourainevaldeloire The #dolcevita at Château Gaillard #orangerie #Amboise #agrume #valdeloire #italia #belmondo #parc ♬ suono originale – Antonella🌸

A royal estate born in 1496

The adventure began in 1496, when Charles VIII, fascinated by the Villa Poggio Reale in Naples, decided to create his own Italian paradise just outside Amboise. To bring his vision to life, the young sovereign persuaded twenty-two transalpine artists to follow him to Touraine.

The magic quickly worked: in just a few months, an elegant pink-brick palazzo rose, adorned with a remarkable sculpted cornice. The king then offered this architectural jewel to Dom Pacello in return for a symbolic annuity of 60 sols and a bouquet of orange blossom per year.

Royal residence and then property of Cardinal de Guise, in 1558 the château hosted the honeymoon of Mary Stuart, the future Queen of Scots, in an enchanting setting that continues to this day.

Around Gaillard Castle

The most Italian of Touraine castles

Foot through the door of this palazzetto with its Tuscan allure, where every detail reveals the imprint of Transalpine craftsmen. The elaborate bays, adorned with 8,000 stained glass windows and 36 hand-blown polychrome medallions, tell the story of the estate in the pure tradition of 16th-century master glassmakers.

In each room, admire the cheminées with their finely sculpted pediments, testament to the skills of Italian artists. These delicate scrolls, inspired by the discoveries of the New World, tell the story in stone of the unique alliance between the French Gothic style and the innovations of the Italian Renaissance.

The façade on the terrace, with its remarkable cornice and double mullions reminiscent of Florentine palazzi, perfectly embodies this architectural synthesis. A stone jewel that fully deserves its nickname of “the most Italian of the Loire châteaux”.

Les jardins du Roy : a paradise regained

Walk along theseven paths of paradise that wind through this enchanting valley, where Dom Pacello created the first “French-style” flowerbeds. The plant embroidery evokes the four biblical rivers: water, milk, honey and wine. A show that changes with the seasons, sublimated by the bewitching scent of citrus fruits.

The majestic Orangerie Royale is home to a unique collection of 60 varieties of citrus fruit. Extend your visit to the olfactory grotto, a veritable cabinet of natural curiosities. Lookouts offer a breathtaking view of these exceptional gardens, which are open every day from 10am to 6pm. Visit the website to find out about the many events that punctuate the life of this rediscovered paradise.

In a nutshell about Gaillard castle

A jewel of the Italian Renaissance

Charles VIII realised his Italian dream with an elegant Renaissance palazzo.

The first French gardens

Dom Pacello created the emblematic gardens, with their embroidery of plants and unique orange trees.

Entertainment for all seasons

Jazz in summer, Halloween, magical Christmas and themed spring visits.

Visits and events through the seasons

When to come and enjoy this Tuscan paradise? In summer, musical evenings enchant the gardens. Local artists make the pink stones vibrate to the sound of jazz and soul, while the orange trees scent the evening air. In autumn, Halloween at the Château transforms the estate into a playground: candy hunts and creative workshops delight young and old.

When winter comes, the Grand Noël des Orangers adorns the grounds with a thousand lights. A majestic 5-metre Christmas tree takes pride of place in the grand salon, surrounded by enchanting decorations. Daily Christmas tales and gourmet tastings immerse you in the magic of the festive season. In spring, take part inthemed guided tours to unlock the secrets of the first gardens of the French Renaissance.