The Loire Valley is marking the 500th anniversary of 2 remarkable events in French history: the beginning of the Renaissance in France, kick-started in 1519 by the ambitious young king Francois I and the death in Amboise of the gifted, artist, architect, designer and polymath Leonardo da Vinci, friend and advisor the King.
Our English-speaking driver will pick you up in your accommodation at 9.30am in Loire Valley.
Then you will discover the treasure of the Val de Loire Valley with a comfortable car.
You will first visit the château de Chenonceau, one of the most visited castles after Versailles.
The château de Chenonceau is built on the Cher and this makes it unique and amazing.
The gardens are named after Catherine de Medicis and Diane de Poitiers and the setting accurately depicts the « art de vivre à la française » at that time.
Then, You will visit the château Royal d’Amboise in the heart of the pretty town of Amboise, where you will be able to experience « l’art de vivre à la française ».
A visit at the château Royal d’Amboise is an opportunity to discover the kings’ secrets and the chapel Saint Hubert where Leonardo da Vinci is buried.
The superb interior decoration, paintings and furnishings, all revealing this era of wealth and Renaissance creativity in France.
The view on the Loire is breathtaking.
You will continue your trip direction the intimate château du Clos Lucé where Leonard De Vinci got to spend a part of his lifetime, just few hundred metres from the royal château d’Amboise.
He was invited by the King Francois I in 1516 and arrived with is notebooks, as well as 3 paintings: the Mona Lisa, St John the Baptist and Virgin and child with St Anne (all now in the Louvre).
The king was a frequent visitor.
The serene gardens have full-size working replicas of Leonardo’s inventions, including his military tank, bridge crossings, and flying machines.
At the end of this rich experience, the Val de Loire staff will bring you back to the departure place around 6:30 PM
100% refundable 7 days before the tour.
