9/11/17 Chateau Clos Luce/Amboise

Today we visited Clos Luce, the final home of Leonardo DaVinci.  Max and I took the train from Paris to Amboise four years ago.  The prior year he had played Leonardo in a school presentation and we thought it would be fun for him to see where DaVinci lived and worked for the last three years of his life.  It did not disappoint then, and it did not disappoint now.  A special place and a highlight of our trip.  From our cottage, it was a five minute walk down the hill to the chateau.

The gardens that surround the house are beautiful.  Many of his inventions have been reproduced and are scattered throughout the park.  It was fun to take our time and enjoy the many exhibits and take in the beauty of our surroundings.  Very peaceful!

The first exhibit we came across was a model of the "helicopter", built from Da Vinci's drawings.

The polyhedron:

All in a beautiful garden setting:

                                                                     

On the grounds was a pigeon house, built to Da Vinci's specifications.  The configuration of the inside walls allowed air to circulate cutting down on smell (can you imagine!) and disease.  It was constructed so that predators were unable to access it.  The birds entered openings just under the roof and nested in all the little "pigeon holes" in the walls.  The birds were kept for their eggs and to offer an alternative to other sources of meat. Yum!!!!!

The bicycle:

Modern "Exit Man" (2014):                                                           Renaissance "Exit Man" (1514):

This is my personal favorite.  A mechanical (life-sized) lion designed and

built by Da Vinci for a birthday celebration of Francois I.  It walked 

about ten steps, then the sides opened up, displaying 

the fleur de lis!

Note: Check out the YouTube video.  Search for "Da Vinci's walking lion".  Incredible!

Da Vinci took on the role of palace party/event planner, devising elaborate special effects for theatrical events, and exotic entertainment for the lavish parties held by the royal court.

This is one of the theatrical costumes designed by Da Vinci and reproduced from his intricate drawings.  The drawings show the placement of every jewel and piece of lace, as well as complicated sewing techniques used to create the texture and flow of the fabric. Gorgeous!

Exterior of Clos Luce:

Da Vinci's Studio:

Note:  His painting of John the Baptist is the second most popular exhibit in the Renaissance section of the Louvre - second only to the Mona Lisa. 

Next door - his office:

The chapel:

The dining Room:

The Da Vinci china pattern:

(Just kidding, but a beautiful design!)

                    Kitchen...                                                                    ...and pizza oven:

Leonardo's bedroom:

 Bedroom of Anne of Bretagne - sister of Francois I:

The main staircase:

The tearoom and gift shop: