Thursday, July 28, 2005

Amboise

We left Brittany and started toward Paris. We made a last stop in the Loire Valley before reaching our final destination.

We decided to spend the night in Amboise. It is the location of one of the most interesting chateaux -- Chateau Amboise. Amboise is owned by the Fondation Saint Louis, which is run by the Count of Paris, who ensures the conservation of this historic building.

Leonardo da Vinci travelled to France in 1516 to enter the service of King Francis I at Amboise Chateau. He spent his last years down the street from the Amboise Chateau at Clos Luce. He died at Clos Luce on in 1519. Many of da Vinci's paintings were made while in France and can be found at the Louvre.

Here is one side of Amboise Chateau and the street that goes through the town. The church on the Chateau grounds is the Saint Hubert chapel which holds the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci.


Usually, when we stay at a hotel in France it is the Novotel. They are located outside of the city center, so you'd really need a car, but they are a family friendly hotel chain. You can always find a room for a family of four, which is often difficult here! Our hotel in Amboise promised a view of the chateau. Here is my family playing mini golf on the hotel lawn with Amboise Chateau in the background.



-- said Auntie M in Paris
3:44 PM

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