The Must-Visit Loire Valley
by Laura Blanc de Silva on 12/04/13
We
visited some European countries this summer, we stayed in Paris five days, and
from there we went for the day to the Loire Valley. These are only some of Loire’s
historic towns: Blois, Chinon, Orléans, Saumur, Tours, Nantes or Angers, and the
world-renowned heritage sites such as the castles of Chambord and Chenonceau,
Amboise Royal Castle, the Gardens of Villandry Castle , the Château du Clos
Lucé or the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud. The Loire Valley has an extension of 280
km long and 800 km2, and is enlisted on the world heritage of UNESCO since 2000
for its cultural landscapes, that illustrated the ideals of the Renaissance and
the Enlightenment. One of the best excursions to be done when visiting France! But
one day is not enough!
The
day was hot and dry, and it was mid-August already! The town of Amboise was a medieval
fortress in the late fifteenth century and early sixteenth century, and once
the home of Charles VIII and Francis I. On the left bank of the Loire, the Amboise
Castle has preserved the traces of its past. It has big terraces overlooking
the Loire. The royal castle is a showroom of the great figures in the history
of France, and to the ones that love history, it is enchanting. European’s artists stayed at the court of
Amboise, as it was a reference for the art and other cultural expressions.
We
had the great surprise to learn that Leonardo da Vinci lived in the castle of
Clos Lucé invited by Francis I. It is said that he was intimate of the king and
that he exhibited 40 of his fabulous machines in the castle. During the guide
visit, we knew that Leonardo came to France, probably after the death in 1516
of his patron Julian Medici, and that he received a rich income of 700 gold
crowns. It seemed a fortune I thought! Our guide explained that Leonardo spent
his time drawing and teaching, and that he also dedicated his time to urbanism
and architecture. Leonardo’s remains rest in the chapel in the Amboise Castle,
and we paid a visit to his tomb. He died in the house of Cloux on May 2, 1519.
From
there, we visited the beautiful and well-kept gardens of the castle, and then
we decided to buy souvenirs, before going to the town to have a delicious
French meal.
