The Chateau de Cloux, now known as the Chateau du Clos Lucé was built in 1471 on the foundations of a 12th-century building. The main part of the chateau is based around an octagonal corner tower with a spiral staircase with two-storey buildings at right angles. It was bought by Charles VIII in 1490 and is located just 400 metres from the much grander Chateau d’Amboise. For 200 years this was the summer residence of the Kings of France. Most notably, it was here that Louise of Savoy raised her two young children, the future Francis I of France and Marguerite d’Angouleme. It is perhaps best known as the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci.
Marguerite is known for her writing and she began writing L’Heptaméron while she was living at this Chateau. L’Heptaméron is a collection of 72 short stories which were published posthumously in 1558.
The terracotta floor tiles are stamped with her monogram. Read more about Marguerite here.
This chapel was commissioned by Charles VIII for his wife, Anne of Brittany. She would come here, away from the court at d’Amboise, to “shed to most painful tears a woman can weep.” Anne would lose all but two of her children in childhood.
Although the Chateau naturally emphasizes on Leonardo da Vinci, it is still a wonderful place to visit. From the restaurant, one can see the Chateau d’Amboise in the distance and imagine the past. The gardens are great to walk in and feature several of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions.
ADULTS: 15,50 (high season) 13,50 (low season)
CHILDREN: 11,00 (high season) 10,00 (low season)
Open daily
January: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
February – June: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm
July – August: 9.00 am to 8.00 pm
September – October: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm
November – December: 9.00 to 6.00 pm
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