France - Loire Day 02 - Chateau of Close Luce

Clos Luce in within easy walking distance of downtown Amboise. Built in the middle of the 15th century, it was bought by King Charles the eighth for his wife Anne be Bretagne. Later it was used by Francis the first. More on that later.

 The courtyard and building are small but the space is well used.

 This is a painting of the death of Leonardo da Vinci. It is a copy of the one done in 1818. The painting is significant because...

 Here is where he died. He was invited here by Francis the first and lived here with many of his students from 1516 to 1519.

 A local cat found the bed very comfortable.

 This glass cup is exquisitely made and painted.

 Its many rooms are sparsely furnished. There are some models of Leonardo's inventions in the basement.

 This is Leonardo's last will.

 The chateau also has a few acres of grounds which has interactive Leonard inventions, which is great for kids and the young at heart.

 There is also an exhibition on Leonardo and the time he lived in. After being in the Louvre it paled as most paintings and sketches were copies but still somewhat interesting.

 Here is one of the interactive inventions, his turtle tank.

The chateau also has an attached eatery, and two other restaurants on the grounds. It also has a nice view of the Chateau of Amboise...