Straddling the Loire River, Amboise is an inviting town with a pleasing old quarter below its hilltop château. A castle has overlooked the Loire from Amboise since ancient Roman times.
As the royal residence of Francois I in the early 1500s, little Amboise wielded far more influence than you would imagine, from a lazy walk through its pleasant, pedestrian-only commercial zone.
The busy pedestrianized Rue Nationale survives from the 16th century. Back then, when the town spread at the foot of the king’s castle and was the second capital of France, this was its main drag.
The chateau of Amboise was the favored royal residence of several kings. Today visitors can stroll through its peaceful grounds and enjoy commanding views.
Here in the Loire you will notice the impact of the Italian Renaissance.
When French big shots traveled to Italy, they returned inspired by the art and the architecture they saw. Tastes in food, gardens, art and design were all influenced by Italian culture.
Francois I did what he could to physically bring the Renaissance to France. It just made sense – the ultimate French Renaissance king invited the ultimate Renaissance Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci to join his court.
The king set Leonardo up in Clos Luce, a small mansion.
The 64-year-old Leonardo spent his last three years here in the court of Francois I.
Clos Luce thoughtfully re-creates the everyday atmosphere Leonardo enjoyed while he lived here. The great hall where he received VIP guests, his bedroom and the fine kitchen.
Enjoying the patronage of the French king, Leonardo pursued his passions to the very end. There are many paintings where Francois I is comforting Leonardo on his deathbed.
Clos Luce displays models of Leonardo’s remarkable inventions. He designed tanks, flying machines, water pumps, gear systems and rapid-firing guns.
The chateau’s grounds are a kid-friendly, interactive park with life-size models of the clever contraptions Leonardo dreamed up.
It is worth visiting.
