From the Château Amboise we grabbed a quick baguette and coke before heading over to the Château de Cloux Luce, the place where Leonardo de Vinci lived and worked for 3 years. This Château was originally built in 1471 on 12 century foundations by Estienne le Loup, the bailiff of King Louis XI. The elegant facade of pink brick and tufa stone bears the architectural stamp of the 15th century. Cloux Luce is situated 400 metres from the Château Royal Amboise and is situated in the pleasant valley of the Amasse, a little tributary of the Loire. It is surrounded by a vast green and shady park. It was purchased by Charles VIII on July 2, 1490 and for two hundred years was the royal residence and summer residence of the Kings of France.
Cloux Luce most famous residence was Leonardo de Vinci, who in 1516 was invited to come and live there by King Francois I. King Francois held Leonardo de Vinci in high regard and paid him 700 gold ecus a year, a princely sum. King Francois I only asked him in return was the pleasure of hearing him talk, a pleasure he enjoyed almost every day. As this was the summer residence of the king there was a secret 400 metre underground passage way that made it possible to visit unescorted. Leonardo was able to work, create and live here until his passed away some three years later. This Château and tour are excellent, well laid out with not only giving you a great look at where Leonardo lived but his workshop with many working models of his inventions- many hands on. The gardens and park are also fantastic and well laid out with again, full life size models of his many inventions. Highly recommended.
A few pics... hope you enjoy.
This was an amazing house built right into the cliffs on the way to Cloux Luce.
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