(Clos Lyce, Da Vinci’s last home)

This is our last day in Tours. We visited the official Royal Chateaux (Chateaux Royal d’Amboise). Other than being the king’s official castle, it wasn’t anything super special. WE visited because it is next door to Clos Lyce, the house where Leonardo Da Vinci spent the last years of his life. The king of France was looking to make himself grander. He figured a good way to do that was to have the acknowledged #1 genius of the Western World come live with him. Da Vinci didn’t do anything important in the last years of his life. But he had fun making some special effects for royal celebrations and such.

They had models of many of DaVici’s inventions, including his famous helical helicopter.

Many of DaVinci’s inventions were so futuristic that they were simply fantasies. Others were more practical, but didn’t have the materials required for practical implantation. But many of his inventions were practical then and now, such as the above parabolic bridge. This one is both practical and beautiful. Both the house and the garden were filled with Da Vinci models, and even a few audio clips. Unfortunately, the audio clips made Da Vinci sound more like a space cadet than a genius. Anyway, it was great good fun to walk around.