Walk: from our townhouse to the Chateau du Clos Luce and back, and from our townhouse to the Chateau Royal de Amboise and back, about 4 miles
Accommodation: La Parenthese
It was nice to sleep late, eat a big breakfast, and lounge in our little garden. Eventually, we did get up the energy to walk over to the Chateau de Clos Luce, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life (1516-1519).
The chateau was built during the 15th century and expanded over the following years to suit the tastes of various French monarchs. It is now beautifully maintained as a historical monument. Our inside tour was interesting, especially the galleries with drawings and models of many of da Vinci's inventions. I had not quite appreciated the magnitude of the man's intellect and imagination. We have so much to thank him and our other inventors for; our world is so rich because of people who can think so creatively.
Although we enjoyed the inside of the chateau, we were glad to escape to the gardens and fresh air. There we wandered among large models of da Vinci designs, which kids and adults alike could touch and manipulate.
On our way back to the townhouse, we did some shopping. Konur found the souvenir he wanted to take home: a dagger with a leather sheaf. The store closed before he made up his mind to buy it, but we promised him we would get back to the store before leaving town the next morning. We agreed that he could check one of his saddlebags on the return flight to Minneapolis, and he agreed to keep the knife safely packed in his bag for the remainder of the bike trip. Happy boy. (Why do 12-year-old boys like knives so much? That was the souvenir his brother took home from Germany three years ago, too.)
After lunch, we made our way to the Chateau Royal de Ambrose, a small castle with peaceful grounds. We enjoyed a quiet walk through the inside and outside, soaking in a little more history and luxury.
Leftover pasta, crème fraiche, and fruit for dinner, and early to bed. Tomorrow we are back on the bikes.
 |
| Our townhouse garden is where the green tree rises above the gray roofs in the upper left quadrant of this photo. Seen from the ramparts at Clos Luce. |
 |
| We wandered through beautiful gardens at Clos Luce. |
 |
| The water features in the gardens were calm and peaceful. |
 |
| Francois I chose the salamander to represent him as king. We saw it in the sound and light show at the Blois Chateau, and again in this especially elaborate porcelain representation in Amboise. |
 |
| The queen's bed chamber in the Amboise Chateau. |
 |
| Standing on the ramparts at the Amboise Chateau: Ken, Konur, Meghan. |
 |
| The Amboise Chateau. |
