Centre-Val de Loire · Indre-et-Loire, France

Château du Clos Lucé

The manor beside Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last three years as 'First Painter, Engineer and Architect of the King' to Francis I — arriving from Italy with the Mona Lisa in his baggage. He died here on 2 May 1519; the house and park now stage his machines and workshops.

At a glance

Built: 1471 (manor)
Style: Brick-and-stone late Gothic manor
Commissioned by: Étienne le Loup; royal property under Charles VIII
Signature feature: Leonardo's final home, workshops and machine models
The guest: Leonardo lived here 1516–1519 at the invitation of Francis I
The painting: He brought the Mona Lisa with him from Italy
Connection: A few hundred metres from the royal château of Amboise
Visiting: Open to visitors year-round