Chateau du Clos Luce is not so much a great garden of the world - but more an homage to one of the world's greatest scientists and artists who chose to end his life in France rather than Italy.

And although the Chateau, his home for the latter years of his life, is dedicated to displays of his work, the gardens are a showcase of his larger projects.  But they also reflect his enduring love of plants and gardens and he did much to craft and shape them to his vision.

He often claimed that nature inspired most of his works so it is particularly interesting tov see so many of his contraptions and ideas, many in working order, set in his seven rambling acres.

The Chateau itself was built in the fifteen century and was home to a French king or two, being connected by an underground tunnel to the Castle of amboise just 500 metres away.

Leonardo lived there for just three years employed as ‘The first painter, engineer and architect of the King’, before he died in 1519.

It could be described as an open air museum, but for many its also just a great place to walk and picnic - providing plenty of plant interest tov the grown ups and masses to intrigue the children.

It is still a working garden today with much produce being grown for the visitor's cafe.  But the question is ‘did Leonardo do his own composting?’  Judging by his great understanding of nature, our guess is yes.

A good day out in the Loire region is Amboise Castle in the morning - as it is not so large as to require a whole day - then a walk up the road to Clos Luce.  

Inspiring and educational in beautiful surroundings.