This chateau is one of the most well known of the chateaux in the Loire Valley. It survived and thrived due to its ownership and maintenance by a series of wealthy women, from rivals (Queen) Catherine de Medici and (king’s mistress) Diane de Poitiers…
The chateau at Clos-Lucé is most known for its most famous inhabitant, Leonardo da Vinci. He stayed here at the request of King Francis I, possibly paying for his rent with several paintings, including the Mona Lisa.
The gardens at Clos-Lucé are done in the natural style. In 2019, they featured a variety of inventions created by former resident Leonardo da Vinci. (Can you spot the tank?)