Day 5 – Amboise (Loire Valley)

Leaving Mont-Saint-Michel behind, we drove 325km south to our next stop in the Loire Valley.  Instead of taking the toll auto route, we traveled the national highways. Wow, we had no idea there could be so many roundabouts on any highway system. We arrived mid-afternoon at our manor house accommodation.

Le Manoir Saint Thomas.

The reception

Our room was quite large with features (floor and ceiling) reflective of its twelfth century origin.

Chateau D’Amboise was only a 500 meter walk from the hotel.

A long staircase leads to the entry of the chateau grounds. The chateau was home to Valois and Bourbon kings during the Renaissance.

The formidable fortress ensured the royal family’s safety.

The St. Hubert Chapel was built in flamboyant gothic style.

King Francois 1er was the great French Renaissance patron of the arts. During the early 16th Century, he invited Leonardo da Vinci to live in Amboise. The St. Hubert Chapel is Leonardo da Vinci’s burial place.

Amboise is the first architectural expression of the Renaissance in the Loire Valley.

The Council Chamber was the center of court life while the King was in residence.

Le Close Luce was Leonardo da Vinci’s last home.

Leonardo’s bedroom

Behind the house is a large garden with replica examples of his many inventions.

Several examples of weaponry he invented or improved

His machine gun

Leonardo’s tank (or an early model of the lunar lander?)

The paddle boat

Example of his work with understanding “perspective”

The treadmill

Shadoof (giant water wheel)

Time for breakfast and time to get back on the road for our drive to the Dordogne region