PROGRAMME
9:30 a.m.
Visit of the "MUSEE DU COMPAGNONNAGE" in Tours. Unique in the world. Located
inside the reception room (XIth c.) and monks' dormitory (XVth c.) of the former Saint
Julien abbey. This museum tells the history, customs, and techniques of these training
associations which also defended the workers rights. You will discover a great variety of
crafts still existing or having disappeared, (locksmiths, confectioners, carpenters,
roofers, etc.), tools, all sorts of masterworks the "Compagnons" had to create
to deserve their title and honour "the fine work".
11:00 a.m.
Leave for Amboise, following the banks of the Loire river. Beautiful
landscapes and views of the river peacefully flowing between the sandy islands.
11:30 a.m.
Free visit of the chateau of Amboise. Built during the XVth and XVIth
centuries by Kings Charles VIIIth, Louis XIIth and François 1st, Amboise was
really the first royal residence. You will discover its French Gothic and Renaissance
architectural styles. Today, the chateau still owns an exceptional collection of
furniture, beautifully preserved. Leonardo da Vinci is buried inside the St Hubert chapel,
built during the XVth century in the Flamboyant Gothic style. From the gardens,
overlooking, the town of Amboise, you will discover one of the most beautiful panoramas of
the Loire valley.
13:00 - 15:00 p.m.
Lunch in Amboise in a troglodyte restaurant
|
3:15 p.m.
Then, visit the CLOS LUCE in Amboise: a Renaissance style manor house, where
Leonardo de Vinci spent the last years of his life. You will discover freely the Leonardo
da Vinci park in three stages. The chateau itself where you enter Leonardo’s privacy
(his bedroom , study, a kitchen and beautiful Renaissance style rooms ) and the
exhibitions of 40 of his fabulous machines. .
Then, in the garden you will leave for an initiatory trip
with Leonardo and his disciple. You will activate 12 giant machines, and listen to
leonardo’s thoughts at 8 different spots and you will also admire 32 translucent
paintings or sketches. Finally the "Halle" where Leonardo’s world will be
explained thanks to the modern technologies : a giant image entertainment, the flying
machine, a film on a big screen and 5 thematic stalls.
End of the day around 5:30 p.m.
|
