Leonardo da Vinci in France
Apparently, when Rome was in turmoil, the king of France invited da Vinci to come live in France. The king admired da Vinci and paid his expenses "so the king would have someone to talk to." Da Vinci accepted the invitation (the brochure said) for access to good wine and a better atmosphere for his research.
He lived in Amboise, right near the castle, for three years until his death. His bedroom, house and gardens have remained unchanged. The basement is filled with models of his inventions (everything from a tank, methods to attempt to fly and a vehicle, almost like a car) and videos of how they worked. Apparently, he schlepped the Mona Lisa with him and completed some other paintings while here but spent most of his time on his inventions. Oh, and the basement had a secret passage, supposedly so he could sneak over and visit the king, who, it was rumored, was at Da Vinci's bedside when he died.
And I never knew any of that.
He lived in Amboise, right near the castle, for three years until his death. His bedroom, house and gardens have remained unchanged. The basement is filled with models of his inventions (everything from a tank, methods to attempt to fly and a vehicle, almost like a car) and videos of how they worked. Apparently, he schlepped the Mona Lisa with him and completed some other paintings while here but spent most of his time on his inventions. Oh, and the basement had a secret passage, supposedly so he could sneak over and visit the king, who, it was rumored, was at Da Vinci's bedside when he died.
And I never knew any of that.
posted by Mel and Janet Muchnik | 2:19 PM
3 Comments:
I am so jealous, I can't stand it! Just so you can feel in the know along the Dordogne, the most ancient bullroarers in the world (40,000 BCE) were made there. Little known totally useless fact.
Are you going to get up to Le Bugue. It has a great little Cafe LeBugue downtown that makes great casoulet. I played my violin there back in mid-nineties.
Be careful of those red phone booths.
Love, Bethe
Loved your blog -- all your trips sound fabulous. It was great to see you in Chicago -- a thank-you note awaits your return. Love, Audrey
We visited Amboise too! The Da Vinci was so interesting and instructional. We enjoyed wonderful food in that area.
Keep your comments coming we sure enjoy them.
Carl and Peggy
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