Our local guide today was Carole. 75% of the group start off this morning at 8.30am, for the optional tour visit to Chateau du Clos Luce, the manor house and gardens where Leonardo Da Vinci spent his last years in the town of Amboise. We were greeted with sounds of roosters crowing as we walked up the lane way to the Chateau. The buildings and garden have been preserved much as he has left them on his death, almost 500 years ago. The framed artwork plus what was direct on the walls was eye catching.
The rear gardens were designed on Italianate style and looked special. The gravel paths had all been raked overnight and there was not a footprint to be seen until our group had traversed the area. Large banner prints of Mona Lisa and other artwork hung from the trees within the lower garden.
The tour culminated with viewing a display of Leonardo’s extraordinary inventions from submarines to helicopters. Much of these inventions has been or still in use today in some form. He was a man well ahead of his time.
The tour bus collected us with the balance of the tour party on board, where we headed for Chateau Amboise, where King Francois I spent much of his childhood with his mother Louise of Savoy. During the first few years of his reign the chateau reached the pinnacle of it glory. Much of the chateau has been reduced, originally there were up to 7 building wings, which has been reduced to the remaining two. It is located high above the Loire River and came under fire by the Germans in WWII, as the Loire River was the line of demarcation between the north and south lines. The views from all window and balcony areas are stunning.
As outlined above, as a guest of the King, Leonardo Da Vinci came to live in nearby Clos Luce, which was connected by an underground limestone passage, some 500 yards, to the castle. The King would visit Leonardo and talk around the kitchen table. Leonardo is buried in a small chapel, which is part of Chateau Amboise.
Following much guided walking, and with breakfast definetely walked off,we had the choice to wander further or head to the shopping area for some lunch. We had a simple lunch, soup & rillettes de Touraine followed by éclairs from the patisserie.
1.45pm and back on the bus to travel to Chateau De Chenonceau, a fairy tale chateau built on the river Cher, via stone pylons for the river to continue flowing. The waters are crystal clear, with magic reflections of the white limestone chateau. We walk through many different tree lined avenues and magnificent landscaped gardens before we catch sight of the chateau. The chateau is often referred to as the Ladies Castle, as a number of women have greatly influenced its construction and development. These include Katherine Briconnet who oversaw construction in 1513 and subsequently Diane de Poiters and Catherine de Medici. We learnt about the King and his mistresses, plus the queen and the relationship between all.
The Chateau contains priceless collections including Renaissance furniture, tapestries and numerous masterpieces by Rubens and Tintorretto, among others.
The Chateau is certainly a popular spot on the various tour bus routes, not to mention private visitors, as the place was packed and difficult to move throughout the building, especially in the old extensive kitchens.
We arrive back at the Novotel, all weary and somewhat exhausted to rest up for our optional tour event of a typical French evening meal in a restaurant located in a limestone cave of the area.
Entree was snails & mushrooms in a gravy sauce for both, lamb for Michael and Pork for Dot’s main followed by a type of Bombe Alaska. The French wines provided with the meals are very young…..whites are not bad, but reds are disappointing so far.
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