Residence of the Center-Val de Loire, located in the heart of the town of Amboise, the Clos Lucé castle is one of the jewels of French architecture. The former manor of Cloux was originally built in 1471 as a stronghold dependent on the castle of Amboise.
From Charles VIII to Francis I, the castle of Clos-Lucé became summer residence of the kings of France before becoming the last home of the famous inventor and painter, Leonardo da Vinci.
Listed as an historic monument, the place is today a center of interpretation and knowledge to better know the work of the great Italian and is now the property of the family of Saint-Bris.
Located in the heart of a seven-hectare park crossed by a small tributary of the Loire, the Château du Clos Lucé has a charming facade of pink bricks and white stones. Outside, a walkway remains from the time of the Renaissance. Inside, it is possible to discover Leonardo da Vinci's room, its kitchen, the council room, the oratory of Anne of Brittany, or Marguerite de Navarre's room. The oratory, built in the late fifteenth century, including paintings by Leonardo da Vinci disciples as an Annunciation, a Last Judgment, and a Virgin in the light.
In four rooms in the basement, some forty models made by IBM are visible. 3D animations allow to better understand the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci and their functioning.
In the park, open to the public as well, you can admire a fifteenth century dovecote. A cultural route has been laid out, and there are sound bells and about twenty giant machines inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's sketches. Another garden also presents his work on plants, as well as a two-level bridge made according to his own plans.
Cultural events are organized throughout the year at the Clos-Lucé castle, and children's courses are offered at the reception to help youngsters discover the world of engineering straight from Italy.
