Château du Clos Lucé

Clos Lucé, last home of Leonardo Da Vinci The story of the castle started under Louis XI during the 15th century then continued under Charles VIII and, in 1515, Francois I’s mother bought it. Except its pink bricks and its tufa stones, what made the castle famous is that Leonardo Da Vinci spent the last years of his life there. Indeed, Francois I invited him to live in the castle so he could paint and invent in a pleasant atmosphere.

Leonardo da Vinci settled down there in 1516, bringing with him the paintings of the Mona Lisa, the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint Jean Baptiste and stayed in the mansion until he died in 1519, painting and inventing new pieces and machines. Today, the castle has been listed as French historical monument since 1862 and invites the public to a visit in Leonardo da Vinci’s life, through his artistic works and inventions.