Information on Amboise and its environs, including the vineyards of the Touraine-Amboise appellation, is available at the tourist office on quai du Général-de-Gaulle, on the riverfront (April–June & Sept Mon–Sat 9.30am–1pm & 2–6.30pm, Sun 10am–1pm & 3–6pm; July & Aug Mon–Sat 9am–8pm, Sun 10am–6pm; Oct–March Mon–Sat 10am–12.30pm & 2–6.30pm, Sun 10am–1pm; tel 02.47.57.09.28, www.amboise-valdeloire.com). Some of the town's hotels are overpriced, but worth trying are the Lion d'Or (tel 02.47.57.00.23, fax 02.47.23.22.49; €40–55) and Belle Vue (tel 02.47.57.02.26, fax 02.47.30.51.23; €55–70), both on quai Charles-Guinot, just below the Château. You could also try the good-value Chaptal, 13 rue Chaptal (tel 02.47.57.14.46; €30–40), with simple but quite cosy rooms. For a thoroughly romantic stay, make for the lovingly kept Vieux Manoir, 13 rue Rabelais (tel 02.47.30.41.27, www.le-vieux-manoir.com; €100–150), run by an American couple. A good campsite can be found on the island across from the castle, the Île d'Or (tel 02.47.57.23.37), alongside the hostel, the Centre Charles Péguy (tel 02.47.30.69.90; reception Mon–Fri 3–8pm or reserve in advance), next door. Bikes can be rented from Cycles Richard, 2 rue Nazelles, near the station (tel 02.47.57.01.79).Most of the eateries in town specialize in crêpes and overpriced snacks, but two good restaurants with exciting local specialities are L'Épicerie, 46 place M. Debré (tel 02.47.57.08.94; menus €10.50–35), overlooked by the chapelle St-Hubert, and Le Saint Vincent, 7 rue Commire (tel 02.47.30.49.49; menus €18–35), on the Île d'Or just next to the bridge, with good views of the Château from the dining room. Just next to the Hôtel de Ville Chez Hippeau, 1 rue François I (tel 02.47.57.26.30; menus €10–30) is a bustling brasserie with good lunchtime menus and pleasant outdoor seating out back, under the walls of St-Florentin church.
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