interior view from the great enclosed space of Amboise Castle, Loire, France., with photographer and model in foreground

The magnificent Château d'Amboise overlooks the Loire valley in Amboise www.tourisme.fr/1717/office-de-tourisme-amboise.htm , at the heart of the Touraine region of the Loire www.loiretourisme.com/en/home . The castle, representative of French Renaissance and the home of several successive Kings of France, is part of the group of castles in the Loire valley. Impressive and refined, the Château d’Amboise is situated on a ridge overhanging the valley. Besides being a royal residence, it is also known for its Saint Hubert chapel, a masterpiece of extravagant gothic architecture, which houses the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci, and also for its gardens.
Decorative stonework and a spectacular view of the valley The château is a lesson in architecture and a journey through the centuries, with its fortifications, impressive towers (the Minimes tower and the Heurtault tower), lintels, gothic and Renaissance style windows and its constructions dating back to between the Middles Ages and the Renaissance. Overlooking the valley, its residences, balconies and gardens, create an atmosphere of grandeur and encourage contemplation and relaxation.
The Grandeur of a Royal Castle Before it was associated with the crown in 1434, the castle belonged to the House of Amboise for over four centuries. During the Renaissance, it served as the residence of several Kings of France. The son of Louis XI, Charles VIII, who was raised in the region, appreciated the relaxed way of life in Touraine and made it his preferred home. With a passion for Italian culture, he invited many Italian artists to Amboise, who completely transformed the castle into the style of the Renaissance. He also called on an Italian horticulturist to improve the gardens. Other features were created by French artists.
The Memory of Leonardo da Vinci in the Clos Lucé Several successive Kings would extend the castle, which became a centre of power and intellectual and worldly living. Its renowned library was even the breeding place for the Bibliothèque nationale (the National Library). Louis XII invited Leonardo da Vinci to stay in the Château du Clos Lucé (the Castle of Clos Lucé), close to the royal residence. An historical centre, Amboise notably provided a backdrop for the Conspiracy of Amboise, which was a prelude to the religious wars. www.france.fr/en/art-and-culture/chateau-damboise.html www.chateau-amboise.com/en/

Taken in: France / Centre / Amboise (show map)

Taken on: July 11, 2015

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Château Royal d'Amboise Amboise Royal Castle

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Sets appears in: • Castles, Chateau & Manoires • Landscapes more » • The Loire, France « less

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Camera: Canon EOS 7D, f/5.6, 1/80 sec, 20mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 7D
Lens:	10-20mm
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.013 sec (1/80)
Focal Length:	20mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	+4/3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto bracket
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CC (Macintosh)
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