Visit Clos Lucé, the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, awaits you for a total immersion in the world of the genius. On this guided tour, discover how the château welcomed one of the greatest minds of the Renaissance.
Visit Le Clos Lucé
If you want to discover the wonders of the Loire Valley castles, you can't miss the absolutely essential visit to the Château du Clos Lucé.
Entering the Clos Lucé, You enter a place steeped in 800 years of history. A former royal estate, it became the residence of Leonardo da Vinci at the invitation of Francis I.
Visit Château du Clos Lucé becomes the place where de Vinci works for the king. He received not only his pupils, but also the great and the good of the kingdom, ambassadors and his Italian artist friends at the King's Court, such as Domenico di Cortona, the future architect of the Chambord castle.
The Master will rub shoulders with 3 kings of France: François 1er, Charles VII and Louis XII.
The château, located Amboise, close to the Loire and part of the Amboise castle, It reflects both Renaissance-style architecture and the transformations made over time. Today, the estate preserves historical elements and reconstructions of Leonardo's work, enabling visitors to understand his daily life.
You can visit the various rooms, such as the Leonardo's bedroom, where he spent his last years working for the King of France.
The Italian Master died on May 2, 1519 in his room at the Château du Clos Lucé. He will then be buried in the chapel of the Amboise castle. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, celebrated the world over, including the enigmatic face of the Mona Lisa visible at Louvre Museum.
Château du Clos Lucé
The château was built in the 15th century during the reign of Louis XI and was home to several important personalities before becoming the residence of Leonardo da Vinci. It bears witness to the architectural evolutions of the period, blending brick with the tufa stone characteristic of the region. Its spacious rooms, Gothic oratory and dovecote are living testimonies to the grandeur of the place.
The gardens, meanwhile, extend the experience by offering a view of the Château Royal d'Amboise, to which it is linked by an underground passage. Although this passageway is no longer accessible in its entirety, it symbolizes the close ties between Leonardo and Francis I.
Leonardo da Vinci
A master of incredible genius, he was a sculptor, painter, architect and inventor...
A spirit of genius
Leonardo da Vinci moved to Le Clos Lucé in 1516, at the invitation of Francis I, who named him «First Painter, Engineer and Architect to the King». This title reflects Leonardo's central role in the royal projects of the time. During his three years at Le Clos Lucé, Leonardo continued to design inventions for the French court, while pursuing his studies in anatomy, mechanics and engineering.
Leonardo lived here surrounded by his students and collaborators, and entertained a number of VIPs. It was here that he worked on a number of projects for the king, including the improvement of royal fortifications and the design of war machines. His insatiable curiosity also led him to study nature and the forces that govern it, research that would mark his work for the rest of his life.
A few inventions
Visit Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci left many traces of his inventive genius. Some of his inventions are presented in the château in the form of life-size models. Visitors can discover such astonishing machines as a helicopter primitive, a tank or complex hydraulic systems.
What's most impressive about Leonardo is his ability to imagine concepts far ahead of his time. His research into human flight, for example, led to sketches of flying machines that would later inspire modern aeronautics. In the rooms of the château, these creations are displayed to immerse visitors in Leonardo's creative spirit.
Leonardo's garden
Visit Clos Lucé garden is a living tribute to Leonardo da Vinci. The 8-hectare park is conceived as an extension of the artist's work, showcasing inventions and sketches through interactive installations. The garden paths feature life-size reproductions of some of Leonardo's inventions, set in a natural environment that reflects his studies of botany and the cycles of nature.
The garden also offers a peaceful stroll, where you can soak up the atmosphere that inspired Leonardo's work. Observation points are set up to enjoy views of the château and surrounding landscape. It's a place that invites reflection, while celebrating the visionary genius of the Italian master.
Your guided tour with a tour guide
To enhance your visit, you can choose to do it with a guide speaker. This specialist accompanies you in your discovery of the château and its mysteries. His knowledge sheds additional light on the different stages of Leonardo da Vinci's life at Le Clos Lucé. Anecdotes about his work, his relationship with Francis I and his plans for the French court are all part of the tour.
With a tour guide, you can also enjoy a detailed presentation of the inventions on display in the castle and garden. This guided tour allows you to understand the technical aspects of Leonardo's machines and fully appreciate their complexity. In addition to historical details, the guide will answer any questions you may have and point you in the right direction, so you don't miss out on any of the estate's important works.
Why choose a guided tour?
Of course, it's possible to take a self-guided tour, with just a brochure and a few kiosks set up around the park. But with a tour guide to tell you all about the history of the site, you can really experience your visit!
- Enriched historical context : The guide provides information that you won't find on the explanatory panels or in the leaflet.
- Interaction You can ask questions and interact directly with an expert.
- Access to anecdotes Learn little-known facts about Leonardo da Vinci's life and the castle's transformations.
A guided tour of Le Clos Lucé is an enjoyable experience for the whole family. Young and old alike will marvel at the inventions of the genius Da Vinci.
Family-friendly tour
Le Clos Lucé does everything in its power to make your visit a real moment of sharing and pleasure for the whole family.
Picnic area, bottle-warming facilities, sanitary facilities... The site is equipped for your comfort.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Absolutely!
Children will love discovering Leonardo da Vinci's incredible inventions.
Is it possible to visit with a baby?
Yes, you can even heat up your toddler's bottle.
However, it is advisable to use a baby carrier during your visit (steps, staircases...). Strollers must remain outside the château.