For those that have been there, it seems that staying in Amboise is heavily advised and I'm curious what the draw is outside of walking convienience to the Castle and Da Vinci House (both of which we plan to do)? We will have a car with the main activities being chateaus, wine, and riding. Thanks!
Amboise is too small to have outskirts. Unless you're talking about staying in the Ibis in the industrial area, you'll be within 10 minutes of the chateau.
If you have a car, you could stay somewhere else besides Amboise, such as in the village of Chenonceaux at the absolutely lovely Auberge du Bon Laboureur. Or at some other distinguished lodging.
I love staying in Amboise, in fact I am here this weekend. But I am smack dab right under the chateau (although I came by train). Staying in Amboise is handy for restaurants, cafés, the Sunday market, and renting bikes. Lots of reasons to stay here, but they might not match with your interests.
Not exactly sure what you mean by 'outskirts', but I suppose our small chateau hotel qualified, since it was less than 10 minutes from central Amboise. It meant driving into town for everything we wanted to do there (meals, sightseeing, shopping). And being always mindful of the French limits on blood alcohol and driving, whenever wine was involved. But we thought it was a good location to see both the eastern and western chateaux in the Loire. Having a car is a definite asset.
Thanks for the information, all very helpful. Great point about the blood alcohol level. Leaning back to being in town.