The Leonardo da Vinci Park
Visit the Chateau du Clos Lucé late Spring through Summer and you'll be able to admire vibrant scarlet Mona Lisa Roses, planted in huge swathes in the terrace garden. The park is magnificent for the innovative way in which Leonardo’s artwork is depicted. Some of his famous creations have been bought to life, you can sit in a wooden tank made to scale, climb aboard a boat, cross a bridge, turn a giant cork screw and more. It brings to life in a unique way the works of the man known as the “Florentine Genius”. The trees are hung with huge translucent representations of his paintings and sayings – it’s rather romantic, certainly ethereal and beautifully done.
Wine tasting in Leonardo’s Caves
Chenin Blanc is the “royal grape” says the wine expert in Leonardo’s Caves. And yes, this is the very passage that linked the Chateau du Close Lucé to the Chateau d’Amboise where King Francis I lived. It’s a strange feeling to know that one of the greatest artists and thinkers of all time used to scurry along here, holding a candle to light the way to his meetings with his patron who also used this under-ground walkway to go to see the man he called “my father”.
You descend via one of the exhibition rooms in the chateau. With candles lighting the cave I sipped the wine almost in reverence though not as much as our wine guru who tells us his thinks of “wine as people”. The pensioners he says, go back to 1874 – he doesn’t offer us a glass. “This is a young adult” he advises pouring a glass of local red. “This is a baby” he says of a fresh, fruity white. Monsieur le wine expert speaks excellent English, has a great sense of humour and the most delicious wines. It is without a doubt an incredible way to connect with the past, to stand in the footsteps of the great King and the great artist, and a unique wine tasting.
Book at: www.caves-duhard.fr/en
“I believe that great happiness awaits those men who are born where good wines are to be found”
Leonardo da Vinci