The Chateau rooms
Leonardo moved into the Chateau du Clos Lucé and here he stayed until his death on 2 May 1519. The rooms have been restored with the help of specialist historians and it’s easy to imagine Leonardo in his long gown moving through the castle.
On the 4-poster bed in what was Leonardo’s room where he died of old age, Minette the castle cat is fast asleep most days (above). She is oblivious to the cameras that click, capturing her utter dismissiveness of the visitors who are lost in contemplation that here, 400 years ago, Leonardo snored through the night, dreaming his dreams and planning his projects.
Leonardo liked cats and it’s fitting that the pampered puss has taken up residence in his former home.