Clos Lucé, Medieval château in Amboise, France
Clos Lucé is a brick château with white stone trim in Amboise, distinguished by Gothic windows and an octagonal tower. The building connects with several exhibition rooms that spread across a terraced garden, where paths wind through models of machines.
Francis I invited Leonardo da Vinci to live in this residence in 1516, where the artist spent three years working and living. The king had acquired the building shortly before from the Amboise family to offer it to his guest.
The name Clos Lucé comes from a medieval cloister that once stood on the site. Today visitors encounter replicas of Leonardo's inventions scattered throughout the park, placed among flower beds and beneath trees.
The estate opens daily except in January when maintenance work takes place, and visiting typically takes two to three hours. A route leads through the upstairs rooms and then out into the garden with its models.
An underground passage links the estate to the royal castle of Amboise and allowed Francis I to visit Leonardo discreetly. In Leonardo's bedroom hangs a copy of the Mona Lisa, recalling that he brought the original to France.
Location: Amboise
Inception: 1471
Architectural style: Flamboyant
Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access
Fee: Yes
Address: 2, rue du Clos-Lucé
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: December 12, 2025 18:05
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Château du Clos-Lucé
27 m
Oppidum des Châteliers
478 m
Rempart gaulois des Châteliers
518 m
Fanum des Châteliers
334 m
Maison du Philosophe
478 m
Prieuré Saint-Thomas d'Amboise
381 m
Chapelle d'Anne de Bretagne du Clos Lucé
13 m
Scenic viewpoint
362 m
Scenic viewpoint
204 m
Scenic viewpoint
399 m
Scenic viewpoint
471 m
Scenic viewpoint
433 m
La roue à écureuil
241 m
La roue à aubes
245 m
Le pigeonnier
244 m
La clairière
210 m
Le Chadouf
199 m
Le bateau a aubes
234 m
L'hélice volante
112 m
Le Garage Centre d'Art
430 m
La perspective du Prieuré
224 m
Statue, Work of art
424 m
Work of art
428 m
Work of art
430 m
Fanum des Châteliers
412 m
Oppidum protohistorique des Châteliers
415 m
Remparts et fossés gaulois
356 m
La butte César
452 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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