Clos Lucé, Medieval château in Amboise, France
The pink brick and white stone château features Gothic architecture with a central tower, surrounded by expansive Renaissance gardens and exhibition spaces.
King Francis I invited Leonardo da Vinci to live at Clos Lucé in 1516, where the Renaissance master spent his final years until 1519.
The château displays forty models of machines based on Leonardo da Vinci's original designs, demonstrating his engineering and scientific achievements.
Visitors can access the château daily from 9 AM to 7 PM during summer months, with guided tours available in multiple languages.
An underground passage connects Clos Lucé to the Royal Château of Amboise, allowing King Francis I to visit Leonardo da Vinci discreetly.
Location: Amboise
Inception: 1471
Architectural style: Flamboyant
Fee: Yes
Address: 2 2, rue du Clos-Lucé 37400
Opening Hours: January: 10:00-18:00; February-June: 09:00-19:00; July-August: 09:00-20:00; September-October: 09:00-19:00; November-December: 09:00-18:00; January 1 off; December 25 off
Phone: +33247570073
Website: http://vinci-closluce.com
GPS coordinates: 47.41024,0.99204
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:36
This collection brings together Renaissance masterpieces that dialogue with Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. From Milan to Florence, passing through European museums, discover works by the greatest masters of this prolific period that shaped art history between the 15th and 16th centuries. Da Vinci's Last Supper in Milan, Raphael's School of Athens at the Vatican, Michelangelo's David in Florence, or Raphael's Sistine Madonna in Dresden testify to the creative genius of this era. The collection also includes sites linked to Leonardo da Vinci, such as the Saint-Hubert Chapel in Amboise where the artist is buried, and the monumental sculpture of Leonardo's Horse at San Siro Racecourse. Each artwork reveals technical innovations, mastery of perspective, and attention to the human figure characteristic of High Renaissance.
The Loire River houses castles from French Renaissance and Classical periods. These structures display architectural elements of their time and document noble life. Each castle presents distinct features, from Gothic ornaments to symmetrical gardens. The interiors contain original furniture, tapestries, and art collections.
The Loire Valley features Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance châteaux and medieval squares. From Saint-Gatien Cathedral to Château de Chenonceau, each location displays architectural details: towers, stone walls, decorated facades and geometric gardens. The city of Tours combines half-timbered houses, bridges over the Loire, religious buildings and public squares with century-old trees. Saint-Gatien Cathedral rises with its two towers and stained glass windows from the 13th century in the heart of Tours. Château de Chenonceau spans the Cher River with its galleries and French gardens. Place Plumereau in the historic center is surrounded by medieval houses with wooden beams. The Loire châteaux such as Amboise, Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau offer photographs of white stone facades, towers and terraced gardens. The banks of the Loire reveal sandy beaches, old stone bridges and vineyards stretching along the river.
Château d'Amboise
563 m
Château du Clos-Lucé
27 m
Château-Gaillard
568 m
Oppidum des Châteliers
478 m
Hôtel Morin
695 m
Miniaturpark Loireschlösser
2.1 km
Château de Pocé-sur-Cisse
3.9 km
Église Saint-Denis
1 km
Église Saint-Florentin
720 m
Musée de l'Hôtel de Ville, Amboise
690 m
Greniers de César
557 m
Rempart gaulois des Châteliers
518 m
Fanum des Châteliers
334 m
Pagoda of Chanteloup
2.7 km
Hôtel Joyeuse
575 m
Chapelle Saint-Jean d'Amboise
1.3 km
Tour de l'Horloge
660 m
Île Saint-Jean
1.1 km
Église Notre-Dame-du-Bout-des-Ponts
1.1 km
Maison du Philosophe
478 m
Éolienne Bollée de la Gabillère
2 km
Maison, 20 rue de la Concorde
631 m
Maison, 52 rue Rabelais
613 m
Maison, 2 rue Joyeuse
588 m
Chapel Saint-Hubert
561 m
Église Saint-Marc de Chargé
3.8 km
Château de Pray
2.4 km
Maréchal Leclerc Bridge
796 mReviews
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