Clos-Lucé - Leonardo da Vinci's house

The 15th century manor was given to Leonardo da Vinci by François I. The painter, engineer and inventor moved there in 1516 to work on the reconstruction of the Château d'Amboise and perhaps at Chambord. His last project was the diggin of canals connecting the different chateaux in the Loire by placing dams and locks on the river. Apart from the artist's apartments, the best part of the visit are the models made by IBM of the drawings left by da Vinci (water elevators, air conditioning fan propelled by a waterfall, a jack, a machine to unload boats, an odometer, a prototype for a boat with paddle wheels).

Our comments:

Too bad you can't use 2 or 3 of the models. Frankly, you should try and keep YOUR kids off of them. How else are you going to get them to like museums? Very frustrating.

At the back of the garden (nice view of the roofs of Amboise), on a "giant" screen, in an audiovisual room that leaves a lot to be desired, you can see a film on the life and work of Leonardo that will absolutely enthrall you and your budding young inventors too!

How to get there :

Motorway A10, Château-Renault Amboise exit. 600 yards from downtown Amboise. Take the very narrow rue Victor Hugo. Open everyday, except for Christmas Day and New Years.

Prices: adults: 40FF. Children under 12: 20FF
Discounts for subscribers to the magazine "Le petit Léonard" and for groups( reservations: 02 47 57 62 88) Contact:Château du Clos-Lucé 37400 Amboise Phone: 02 47 57 62 88.