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The home of Leonardo da Vinci 1516–1519.
In the autumn of 1516, upon invitation from Francis I, Leonardo da Vinci arrived at the Château du Clos Lucé, his last residence in Amboise. He brought three of his masterpieces with him: The Mona Lisa, The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, and Saint John the Baptist, all of which he refused to be separated from.
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At the age of 64, he embarked on his last journey from Italy to France.
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The Manoir du Cloux, the summer residence of the kings of France since 1490, today known by the name Château du Clos Lucé, was offered for da Vinci's use by François I in 1516.
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A beautiful artist's residence
As the king's Chief Painter, Engineer, and Architect, Leonardo da Vinci lived there and worked on many different projects for the ruler. In his workshops, he continued to perfect his Virgin and Child with Saint Anne …
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... developed plans for an ideal château, notably the design for a double-helix staircase, which would have, at least in part, inspired the architect of the Château de Chambord, worked on the water management system for the local area, and organized parties at the Clos Lucé for the king and the French court.
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He was free to continue with his research on anatomy, floods, and botany.
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Oral histories tell that a tunnel connects the Château Royal d'Amboise and the Château du Clos Lucé. François I often visited da Vinci because he admired the depth of his knowledge.
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During the Renaissance, the rampart walk became a sort of Italian-style loggia, where the king and his court took in the celebrations organized by Leonardo.
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Distinguished guests
In the council chambers. Leonardo da Vinci received his distinguished guests. Notably, he welcomed François I, the nobility of the kingdom, and ambassadors and artists who came to see him.
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On October 10, 1517, da Vinci received a visit from the Cardinal of Aragón at Clos Lucé. According to an account from Antonio Beatis, secretary to the cardinal, Leonardo presented them with a painting of a Florentine lady painted from life, the Mona Lisa.
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"As a well-spent day brings contented sleep, so a well-spent life brings contented death." Leonardo da Vinci
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On April 23, 1519, Leonardo wrote his will, bequeathing his manuscripts, his sketchbooks and his sketches to his beloved disciple, Francesco Melzi. He died in his bed at the Château du Clos Lucé on May 2, 1519, aged 67.
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The Château du Clos Lucé continues to pass on the heritage of the Tuscan Master 500 years later in the last place he lived, and the surrounding cultural park which serves as an open-air museum.
