Château du Clos Lucé
Castle · Amboise ·
Former home of Da Vinci with working models of designs
Former home of Da Vinci with working models of designs
"Leonardo da Vinci’s last home—gifted to him by King Francis I—opens a window onto the master’s world: during his three years here, the Mona Lisa and Virgin of the Rocks hung on its walls, and today an immersive museum projects these and 15 other masterpieces in living color while dreamy Italian gardens invite a wander just as Leonardo loved to do." - Jennifer Ladonne
"Visiting Château du Clos Lucé just outside Amboise felt like stepping into Leonardo da Vinci’s final years: the château has been converted into a museum about his life and work (including some bizarre military designs like a tank shaped like a Hershey’s kiss), and the gardens are shaped to evoke the Tuscan landscape that inspired him, complete with cypress trees and playful homages to his inventions—children even turn handles to spin wavy blades that recall his helicopter precursor." - Joe Baur
"▲ For a chance to see Leonardo da Vinci's final home, and to stroll through gardens decorated with models of his creations." - Rick Steves' Europe
"Built by Hugues d’Amboise in the mid-15th century and acquired by Charles VIII in 1490, Clos Lucé retains Renaissance charm in its few rooms and is especially famous because Leonardo da Vinci lived here from 1516 to 1519. The house is a testament to him: the rooms are marvelously restored and the basement is filled with replicas of his inventions, while the exterior shows many Italian influences. The extensive grounds—with geese, streams, ponds, walking trails, a restaurant, and a mill—are stunning and make it easy to imagine Leonardo wandering for inspiration. Admission is 18 EUR; it’s about a 30-minute train from Tours with regular shuttles or a 30-minute walk from the station." - Matthew Kepnes
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