Amboise (am-bwahz) is actually on the Loire river;  most of the "Loire" châteaux are on other rivers, tributaries of the Loire.  This picture was taken from the front portico of Château Amboise.  That's Joe Mallozzi on the lower steps.

Château Amboise was on our 'list' but others convinced us it was not worth the time, given that we had only three days in Loir-et-Eure.  Something else in Amboise is, however, worth the time:  Clos Lucé, high above the river, is one of the residences of François I and was the home of Leonardo daVinci for the last three years of his life.  We'll see more of that in a moment...