2 Castles on Loire Valley Amboise and Leonardo Da Vinci Manor

About this tour

Step into Renaissance France with a full-day exploration of two iconic Loire Valley estates. Visit Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years, wandering through his private chambers, studio and grounds filled with reconstructed mechanical inventions. Then head to the fortified town of Amboise, where medieval streets open onto royal history. The journey connects art, engineering and architecture across eight to ten hours, with air-conditioned transport and entry fees included.

Highlights

• Leonardo's bedroom and workspace at Clos Lucé manor
• Reconstructed Renaissance machines in manicured gardens
• Amboise's narrow medieval lanes and riverside setting
• Royal château architecture and courtyard exploration
• Lunch options in Amboise town centre restaurants

What to expect

Your morning begins at Clos Lucé, where you'll walk through the intimate rooms where da Vinci lived and worked in the 1510s. The reconstructed inventions—bridges, flying machines, hydraulic systems—sit throughout the grounds, giving tangible form to his notebooks. After a few hours there, you'll drive to Amboise, a compact walled town perched above the Loire River. Expect to spend the afternoon navigating cobbled streets, ducking under low doorways, and spotting Renaissance facades tucked between timber-framed buildings. There's ample time to find lunch at one of the central restaurants before returning.

Good to know

Lunch is not included—budget for a restaurant meal in Amboise or bring provisions. Wear comfortable walking shoes; both sites involve uneven historic floors and garden paths. Children must stay with adults throughout. Bottled water is provided; public transport links are available nearby if needed.