Let me tell you about a dandy in my road warrior rounds in the wonderful sublime Loire Valley. This is a spot have come several times to the gorgeous castle, I came by again this week and took nice pictures for you and me. It was a great experience, and always looking forward to be back, eventually, Do read my several posts on the castle and City in my blog, This time let me tell you again on curiosities of Amboise, part V !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Beffroi or Belfry is a wonderful building as you walk from the entrance to the castle down Rue Nationale ,,a pedestrian street, It was under Charles VII, in 1445, that this gate was transformed into a belfry. Then, thanks to a public subscription, a clock was installed in 1500 aka tour d’horloge, This tower was erected on the remains of an old city gate, the Porte de l’Amasse, named after the nearby river, which was once part of the city’s fortifications. This new tower served as a municipal belfry and an alarm to warn residents of danger or fire. This slender building, approximately 25 meters high, has a slightly rectangular plan . Surmounted by a pinnacle housing the bell, it stands out clearly from the urban landscape. A pointed barrel vault covers the cart passage at about 3.50 meters wide.
The Place Michel Debré was originally a street lined with houses on each side. The rampart was cleared under king Louis-Philippe and only the houses opposite it were preserved. Before the French revolution, it received the name of rue du Château; from the First Republic to the First Empire (1792–1814), it was the rue de la Citadelle. In 1833, it regained the name of rue du Château. Today, Place Michel Debré brings together the old Place du Château and the old rue du château. It was the most lively square in the medieval town. With the exception of the stone hotel at 4 place Michel Debré, only the half-timbered houses can date from the 15-16C. Very narrow facades such as 8 place Michel Debré: about 3 meters!!. There is one of the two half-timbered houses which has kept its original sculpture with a large facade 9,2 meters at 54 place Michel Debré. One can imagine that the established houses dating from the 15-16C were most prestigious because of their privileged position in front of the king’s home (the castle). Today, the street is pedestrianise!
The Tour Heurtault Tower is a circular cavalier tower, 25 meters in diameter and 22 meters high, allowing access in four and a half revolutions from the town to the castle – and originally to the royal residence of the Seven Virtues. Attached to the castle promontory on a third of its circumference, the waiting stones are still visible on its eastern flank. A gatehouse covers the cavalier entrance gate, which closed with an old drawbridge with arrows. The vast helix-shaped cavalier ramp allowed carriages access between the town and the castle terraces. Charles V used the cavalier ramp of the Heurtault Tower to make his entrance in 1539. A torch would also ignite a wall hanging during the passage of the imperial convoy. The Heurtault Tower is one of the works begun during the construction campaign of Charles VIII (1483-1498), after 1496 and completed by Louis XII (1498-1515). The purchase of plots at the foot of the castle in 1497 probably corresponds to the start of the work.
Within this monument itself, Max Ernst summarizes his artistic oeuvre and presents an example of the bestiary that fueled his imagination throughout his life. The unique fountain is dominated by the Great Genius, spreading its wings, like the bird in the Genius of the Bastille. This creature, which represents the spirit of freedom for Max Ernst and looks toward the Château du Clos Lucé, sits atop three ovoid plinths, symbolizing the birth of a new world.
There is a simple kiosque à musique on quai du Général De Gaulle near the tourist office along the Loire river, A nice walking tour of Amboise,
And of course, the always important tourist office and in Amboise is no difference, a must to stop by at least for a good map of the city ! Of course, also at quai du Général De Gaulle near the kiosque à musique,
There is a nice monument to the fallen of the Great War or WWI at the Square du 11 novembre et du Souvenir Français – 11a Quai du Général de Gaulle ; inaugurated on July 13, 1924, Near the above monuments,
The road D431 pont du Maréchal Leclerc has a nice bridge over the Loire river , This time just took a shot from the distance for being by it several times, It is a lovely ride and grand entrance into City center Amboise ! And at night is sublime !! On either side of the Loire you have the road D952 and the D751 both marvelous to take,
The théâtre Beaumarchais is a place of privileged encounters with the performing arts from all horizons, with renowned artists, with the creations of young companies, with emotions and good humor! Disciplines intersect, classical or contemporary writings, bodies in movement, plastic or sound scores are each time a pretext to meet and share the vision of a culture where each of us builds ourselves. This Italian-style theatre, inaugurated on December 15, 1963, can accommodate 420 people.
The city of Amboise on its heritage: https://www.ville-amboise.fr/88/monuments-a-visiter.htm
The Amboise tourist office on its heritage: https://amboise-valdeloire.com/en/
The local Val de Loire tourist office on Amboise : https://www.tourainevaldeloire.com/en/discover/towns-and-villages/amboise/
The Centre Val de Loire region tourist office on the Castles of the Loire: https://www.loirevalley-france.co.uk/discover/loire-chateaux/
There you go folks, another dandy town and beautiful castle, always great memories of always ! . It was a great experience to know it, always wonderful uplifting and with great history and architecture I like. Again, hope you have enjoy the post on curiosities of Amboise, part V !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 