Chateau du Clos Lucé in Amboise

Le Clos Lucé in Amboisenestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, in Indre et Loireis an emblematic site where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last three years, at the invitation of King Francis I. This historic château, known as the chateau du Clos Lucétransformed into a museum, celebrates da Vinci's genius through his works, inventions and period living environment, including his bedroom and chapel.

Today, Le Clos Lucé attracts history, art and science enthusiasts. Its park offers a life-size exploration of da Vinci's machines, surrounded by a botanical garden and kitchen garden. This article will guide you through the fascinating history of Le Clos Lucé, from its foundation in the 15th century to the time of Vinci, inviting you to discover its riches, from the château to the park, for a total immersion in the universe of this great Renaissance mind.

Dive into the history of Le Clos Lucé

From medieval fortress to Leonardo da Vinci's home

Built in 1471 by Étienne le Loup, advisor to King Louis XI, Clos Lucé rests on the remains of an ancient Gallo-Roman fortress. Initially, the estate, located just 500 metres from the Château d'Amboise, served as a fiefdom of the latter.

Originally, Le Clos Lucé proudly displayed the attributes of a medieval fortress, including a square tower and Gothic-style windows. In 1490, King Charles VIII acquired the property, transforming it into his summer residence and making significant alterations, including the construction of an oratory dedicated to his wife, Anne de Bretagne. Under his aegis, Le Clos Lucé became a sumptuous royal residence, welcoming such illustrious figures as Louise de Savoie, mother of François I, and Marguerite de Navarre, his sister.

Leonardo da Vinci's arrival at Le Clos Lucé

In 1516, an important page in the history of Le Clos Lucé was written with François I's invitation to Le Clos Lucé. Leonardo da Vinci, offering him the title of "first painter, engineer and architect to the king" as well as a generous pension. Leonardo da Vinci, attracted by this proposal, moved to Le Clos Lucé on September 25, 1516, bringing with him three disciples and major works, including the famous Mona Lisa.

During the three years he spent at Clos Lucé, until his death in 1519, Leonardo da Vinci devoted himself to ambitious projects for Francis I, such as the design of a palace and an ideal city in Romorantin, and the organization of grandiose festivities at the Château d'Amboise. He also pursued research in painting, sculpture, architecture and many other fields, leaving behind thousands of pages of notes and sketches that bear witness to his visionary spirit.

Discovering the Château du Clos Lucé today

Architecture and major rooms in the château

The 15th-century Château du Clos Lucé boasts an elegant facade of pink brick and tufa stone. It features a square tower, a lookout, Gothic windows, two wings forming a right angle, linked by a covered gallery, and an octagonal tower containing a spiral staircase.

The château comprises some fifteen rooms, including Leonardo da Vinci's bedroom, restored to its original state, where he breathed his last on May 2, 1519, and the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, the artist's first burial place before his remains were transferred to the Château d'Amboise. Some rooms have been transformed into exhibition halls, such as the Council Room, where Leonardo da Vinci welcomed Francis I, and the kitchen, equipped with period utensils.

The Château du Clos Lucé is a living testimony to the life of Leonardo da Vinci and his close relationship with the King of France.

Permanent exhibitions dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci

Château du Clos Lucé celebrates the legacy of Leonardo da Vinci through various permanent exhibitions. The exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's workshops is particularly fascinating, with some forty life-size models based on his sketches and notes. These creations, classified into four categories (military, civil, mechanical and life-related), demonstrate the avant-gardism of Vinci, precursor of the helicopter, the tank, the parachute and the bicycle.

Another exhibition plunges visitors into da Vinci's artistic and architectural world, with projections, holograms, touch screens and reproductions of his major works such as the Mona Lisa, the Saint John the Baptist, or the Virgin, Child Jesus and Saint Anne, as well as his unfinished or lost projects, such as Francesco Sforza's equestrian monument or the ideal city of Romorantin. The Château du Clos Lucé offers an immersive, interactive experience of Leonardo da Vinci's work, at the crossroads of art, science and technology.

The gardens of Clos Lucé: a tribute to Vinci's fascination with nature

Surrounded by a 7-hectare park, the Château du Clos Lucé offers a bucolic getaway inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. The "Parc Leonardo da Vinci" is an invitation to discovery and relaxation, highlighting Vinci's inventions, thoughts and dreams.

The park exhibits 20 giant machines based on his drawings, such as the swing bridge, the water cannon and the mechanical bird, and features 40 extracts from his writings, revealing his thoughts on nature, man, art and science.

It also includes a botanical garden with over 500 species of medicinal and aromatic plants, and a kitchen garden reproducing 16th-century crops. The Parc du Clos Lucé is an enchanting place that pays tribute to Leonardo da Vinci's visionary spirit and his love of nature.

Visit the Parc du Clos Lucé: an immersive experience

Leonardo's machines: an interactive exploration

The Parc du Clos Lucé offers a playful space for enthusiasts and explorers to test and manipulate Leonardo da Vinci's inventions. These creations, made from wood, metal or canvas, are authentic reproductions based on sketches and annotations by the famous Italian inventor. They reveal avant-garde mechanisms for their time, such as a swing bridge, a tank, a water cannon, a parachute, a helicopter, a bicycle and even a mechanical bird.

The inventions are organized around four categories: military engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering and the engineering of life, each accompanied by descriptive panels. The latter detail the scientific and technical principles employed by Leonardo da Vinci, making a visit to the park a unique experience for immersing oneself in the mind of an inventor.

The cultural walk through the park

The Parc du Clos Lucé is also a haven of peace and culture, offering a stroll to the heart of Leonardo da Vinci's inspirations and reflections. Punctuated by 40 sound terminals, the trail invites visitors to listen to passages from Da Vinci's writings, shedding light on his vision of nature, humanity, art and science.

This walk allows visitors to admire the splendour and richness of nature, a source of wonder and inspiration for Vinci. The park is also home to a botanical garden, with over 500 varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants, and a vegetable garden, which reproduces 16th-century cultivation.

The park offers a poetic and harmonious interpretation of nature, reflecting Leonardo da Vinci's sensitivity and curiosity.

Events and workshops: immerse yourself in the world of da Vinci

The Parc du Clos Lucé offers events and workshops for a complete immersion in the world of Leonardo da Vinci. The Flâneries Nocturnes, for example, offer a unique experience of the park at night, complete with music, theater and illuminations. The "Leonardo da Vinci and Renaissance Fragrances" exhibition explores Vinci's connection with scents and essences through unique olfactory creations.

Workshops range from building models of da Vinci's machines, to an introduction to oil painting, to discovering the park's plants and their properties. These activities, accessible to all ages, offer a fun and educational way to discover da Vinci's genius with family and friends.

Conclusion

Le Clos Lucé presents itself as an unforgettable destination, opening the doors to the fascinating world of Leonardo da Vinci, an emblematic figure of human ingenuity. Visitors to the Château du Clos Lucé estate have the unique opportunity to admire the artist's innovative inventions and captivating works of art up close, as well as to visit his bedroom and chapel, fully immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the 16th century.

The Parc du Clos Lucé completes this exploration, offering an interactive experience with the machines designed by Vinci, listening to his thoughts and recharging your batteries in the midst of an exceptional natural setting.

A destination of choice for history, art and science enthusiasts, Le Clos Lucé promises entertainment and cultural enrichment. Don't miss this unique opportunity: book your visit now for an unparalleled plunge into the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.

FAQ

Who owns Le Clos Lucé?

Since 1854, Le Clos Lucé has belonged to the Saint Bris family, succeeding the d'Amboise family, who had owned the estate since the 17th century. The estate is dedicated to the commemoration and study of the work of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last three years of his life here.

Where is Leonardo da Vinci's tomb?

Leonardo da Vinci's tomb is located in the Chapelle Saint-Hubert of the Château Royal d'Amboise in France. However, the authenticity of the remains is a matter of controversy. Initially, Vinci was buried in the collegiate church of Saint-Florentin, destroyed in 1808.

Which famous artist is taking up residence at Le Clos Lucé?

Leonardo da Vinci is the illustrious artist who settled at Le Clos Lucé. Invited by King François I in 1516, he was appointed "first painter, engineer and architect to the king".

Which three kings are directly or indirectly linked to the history of Le Clos Lucé?

Charles VIII, Louis XII and François I are the three monarchs directly or indirectly associated with the history of Le Clos Lucé, an emblematic château located in Amboise, in the Loire Valley. They all stayed here, and all enjoyed a close relationship with Leonardo da Vinci. The latter resided here from 1516 until his death in 1519, at the invitation of François I.