The Loire Valley, cradle of the French Renaissance, is celebrating its 500th anniversary this year.  The region will showcase the magnificent architectural heritage born in the this effervescent period ~ a period which was spearheaded by the French Renaissance King François I and Leonardo da Vinci.

It will highlight today's innovations and creativity in association with the region's major contemporary art venues.  The celebrations coincide with the anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death at Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise on May 2, 1519.  Awed by his genius and by Italy's artistic and architectural renewal, King François I invited the artist to live in Amboise in 1516, where he came with the Mona Lisa and two other masterpieces in tow and where he spent the last three years of his life.

2019 is the perfect time to discover and experience the Loire Valley and its Renaissance gems.  The region, once known as the playground of the kings of France, is almost entirely a UNESCO World Heritage site since the year 2000, and it is just a 58-minute TGV ride from Paris.

With over 500 events, from extraordinary exhibitions to digital shows, the Loire Valley will be the place to be.  One of the most striking events will be the exceptional presentation at the Château du Clos Lucé of the tapestry of Leonardo's famous painting, The Last Supper.  It is the first time the the 16th century masterpiece will be seen outside the Vatican Museums.  Read more in the Calendar of Events below.

Calendar of Events:

A Contemporary Homage to Leonardo da Vinci

From April 1 – November 3, 2019 at Château du Rivau

Illustration of the different facets of Leonardo da Vinci’s work (self-portraits, female portraits, extraordinary machines, drapery, anatomy, historical painting, codices and scenery) by thirty well-known contemporary artists.

Sound and Light Show at the Royal Chateau de Blois

From April 6 – September, 2019 at the Royal Chateau de Blois

As night falls, immersive special effects and monumental projections take over the magnificent architecture of the Royal Chateau de Blois.

“1519, The Death of Leonardo Da Vinci: The Construction of a Legend”

From May 2 - September 2 at Royal Château of Amboise

The major exhibition entitled, “The death of Leonardo da Vinci: the construction of a legend”, is devised around the immense painting (280cm × 357cm) “La mort de Léonardo de Vinci” (The death of Leonardo da Vinci) by François-Guillaume Ménageot, and a collection of engravings from national collections. It will shed light on how the parameters of the friendship between king François Ier and Leonardo were progressively rewritten by history and how history assimilated them as the myth was created to serve the image of the French monarchy in the 18th century. 

As part of the rich celebrations schedule for the 5th centenary, this major exhibition will also serve as a reminder for visitors from the four corners of the world of the eternal place that Leonardo da Vinci occupies in the Loire Valley, and especially in Amboise, where he will rest in peace for eternity in the château’s chapel.

"Chambord 1519-2019: From Utopian Idea To The Work”

From May 26 - September 1, 2019 at National Domain of Chambord

The Château of Chambord will be offering visitors an exceptional exhibition including a retrospective of nearly 150 works, manuscripts, drawings, tables, models and objects of art (including three of the original pages from the Codex Atlanticus by Leonardo da Vinci) to retrace the history of Chambord. Also presented will be 18 projects from architecture studios at the world’s top universities to relaunch, 500 years later on, the architectural utopia of Chambord.

“Tapestry of The Last Supper for Francis I by Leonardo Da Vinci: A Masterpiece in Silk and Silver”

From June 7 - September 8, 2019 at Château of Clos-Lucé

To mark the anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death at the Château du Clos Lucé on 2 May 1519, the tapestry of the Last Supper, a reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, will be presented for the first time outside of Vatican Museums and Italy. The tapestry was woven for Louise of Savoy and her son, the future King of France, Francis I, some time before 1514. In 1533, Francis I presented it as a gift to Pope Clement VII to celebrate the marriage between his son Henri II and the Pope’s niece, Catherine de Medici.

The Tapestries of Catherine de Medici’s Room

Opening June 15, 2019 at Château of Chenonceau

Opening to the public ~ Catherine de Medici’s Apothecary’s room, a place which had completely disappeared. [Photo at right:  The Medici Garden at Château de Chenonceau]

Azay and the new worlds, a new sound and light path at the castle

From June 29 - September 1, 2019 at Château of Azay-le-Rideau

A new sound and light course at the castle! Château d'Azay-le-Rideau will offer a new night stroll in the landscaped park, a veritable green setting for the monument. The public is invited to take a free stroll at nightfall, marked by wonderful worlds and monumental projections. [Photo at left:  Château d'Azay-le-Rideau]

Renaissance Ball & Workshops

July 25, 2019 at Royal Château of Amboise

Visitors will be transformed back to the Renaissance with introductory workshops to Renaissance dance, followed by a grand Renaissance ball in period costume in the evening.

“Viva Leonardo Da Vinci, 500 Years of Renaissance in the Loire Valley”

From August 15 – September 15, 2019 at Bourges, Orléans, Blois, Tours, Chambord, Amboise, Châteauroux, Chartres

This traveling show offers a remarkable immersive and multi-disciplinary experience at the crossroads between art and technology. The video will be projected on water and several solid surfaces, evoking utopian Renaissance ideals and the innovative spirit of this historical movement. Leonardo’s work will be displayed through a dreamlike and poetical journey.

European Festival Of Renaissance Music, Jordi Savall

From September 27 – 29, 2019 at Château of Clos-Lucé

Renowned musician and conductor Jordi Savall will perform new music, accompanied by musicians from Le Concert des Nations, in Da Vinci’s last home. The concert will be held in the exhibition hall that has been fully restored and renovated by the chateau.

New Cultural Facility, “Leonardo Da Vinci, Painter and Architect”

Opening Autumn 2019 at Château of Clos-Lucé

The Château du Clos Lucé is continuing its scientific exploration of Leonardo da Vinci's universe and is converting an old industrial building into a new, 500 m² cultural zone and museum open to visitors. Here the public will discover two major facets of Da Vinci's skills: painting and architecture.

Catherine de Medici’s Room

Through December 31, 2019 at Chaumont-Sur-Loire

All year round, visitors can discover Catherine de Médicis’ room, which has been completely refurbished thanks to new presentations of old tapestries.

HISTOPAD: Immersive Experience in the Renaissance with Augmented Reality

At Châteaux of Blois, Amboise, Chambord, Royal City of Loches, Royal Fortress of Chinon

What is the Loire Valley?  Splendid and eye-popping châteaux, majestic gardens,
beautiful and historic cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites at every Loire River turn,
 and a home to contemporary art and digital innovation.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE LOIRE VALLEY

(Centre-Val de Loire):

Relais de Trois Châteaux in Cour-Cheverny (Loir-et-Cher) is an historic building, established in 1850, as a post house and restaurant for travelers on foot and horseback, and later by car.  Today, it is a charming and popular B&B with an exceptional restaurant and only a short distance from Château de Cheverny.

Château de Détilly is an elegant château rented by the week or for shorter periods for weddings and family celebrations.  It is located in a beautiful park like setting in the département of Indre-et-Loire.  There is a swimming pool and tennis court, and a kitchen garden for those self-catering meals.  It has capacity for 25 guests in the château and coach house.

(Pays de la Loire):

 There are six unique properties ready to welcome you in this large region of France.  In the bucolic Sarthe département you will find Château de Vaulogé, a fine bed and breakfast château surrounded by a moat with swans drifting by.  Enjoy breakfast, reserve for dinner and perhaps take a cooking class!  For an historic experience consider Château de la Barre, in the same family since 1421!  On 100 acres of gardens, woods and meadows, it is a tranquil bed and breakfast getaway (also offering gîtes for longer stays) with beautiful rooms, and local tours are offered to guests.

In the département of the Loire-Atlantique not far from the popular city of Nantes is
 Villa Belle Couronne,  a romantic B&B overlooking the River Loire.  The gardens are beautiful,
 and the village of Le Cellier has everything you could want including a fine restaurant.

The Maine-et-Loire département offers three rental châteaux from which to choose.  Visit Château Allure du Lac on our site for a most elegant week or two in the Loire.  Your delightful hostess will be sure all your requirements are met and ensure that your stay is perfect. The château is particularly suited to weddings and family celebrations. Guests will enjoy the lake as well as the swimming pool.   Château de la Caillotière is a stately 19th century gem ideally suited to smaller groups.  There is a pond for fishing, a swimming pool and a tennis court.  For those interested in riding, a horse and pony are available, and cooking classes can be arranged as well.  Finally, there is the 11th century Château de Chanzé, a Medieval masterpiece offering all modern comforts in the château and nightly stays in the gîtes and chambres d'hôtes.  There is, of course, a fine swimming pool, and easy access to many of the nearby Royal châteaux of the Loire.