Day 12 The Loire Valley -Amboise

We started this morning with a visit to a local winery in the Amboise area called Plou et Fils. This winery was established in 1508 and is run by 20th generation of sons. We were given a tour of the wine cave where the wine is stored.  We received a quick lesson on how wine is produced,  aged and corked. After the tour the adults did some wine tasting while the kids drank sparkling grape juice.  Great way to start the morning!

note... kids are drinking sparkling grape juice!  Drinking age is 18.

We hopped on the bus and continued to the town of Amboise. In 1516 Leonardo da Vinci packed his bags, including the Mona Lisa, and left Rome for better working conditions in Loire Valley. He was offered a position of engineer/architect/painter by France's King Francois I, who only 22 years old, employed Leonardo, then 65, to engage in intellectual conversation.  Leonardo lived out his last three years here in Ambroise.

While we did not enter into the building where da Vinci lived, the Chateau du Clos-Luc.

After a quick walk around Ambrois we took a lunch break then off to the first of two chateaus on our tour today.

Chateau de Chenoncean is a chateau spanning the Rover Cher in the village of Chenoncean in the Loire Valley. The chateau was built in 1514-1522 on the foundation of an old mill by Thomas Bohier and his wife Katherine Briconnet. The expansive grounds and garden makes it the second most visited palace in France, Palace of Versailles being the most visited.

Castle exterior

Elegant interior decor

1535 the chateau was seized from Thomas Bohiers son for unpaid debt to King Francois I

Onward to the next chateau called the Chateau Ambroise. The royal chateau was confiscated by monarchy in the 15th century and a favorite royal residence of the French.  It is here where King Francois I invited Leonardo da Vinci for intellectual conversation.  It is said Leonardo is buried in chapel of the chateau.

After two tours of chateaus, the kids were getting tired.  So back to the hotel after a great day in the Loire Valley.

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