Amboise & Leo

Amboise is a chateaux with alot of interesting and quirky history.

In the late fifteenth century Charles VIII decided to turn the old castle of his childhood days into an extravagant and luxurious palace, adding the Flamboyant Gothic wing that overlooks the river. Unfortunately, not long after the work was completed, he managed to hit his head on the entryway door while riding his horse up the ramp. This tap on the noggin was fatal.

Also, Leonardo da Vinci spent the remaining years of his life in Amboise as a guest of King Francis I. He arrived in the autumn of 1516 and with him he carried the famous Mona Lisa painting. He is buried in the Chapel of St. Hubert on the grounds. Saint Huey is apparently the saint of hunting, and although I'm not down with the sport, the church is seriously cool with antler spires & animal inspired decorations. No one knows what happened to the mysterious Mona Lisa painting...just joking, it's at The Louvre.

Across the street, is the home where da Vinci actually lived, and is open to the public for tours. On the grounds is a nice park set up with lifesize models of some of his inventions. Did you know he sketched designs of the world's first known parachute, car, and helicopter? Now you do.

www.chateaux-france.com/closluce