Leonardo da Vinci took up residence at this grand manor house in 1516 on the invitation of François I. An admirer of the Italian Renaissance, François named da Vinci 'first painter, engineer and king's architect'. Already 64 by the time he arrived, da Vinci spent his time sketching, tinkering and dreaming up new contraptions, scale models of which are now displayed throughout the home and its expansive gardens . Visitors tour rooms where da Vinci worked and the bedroom where he drew his last breath on 2 May 1519.
There is a free smartphone app, and one daily tour in English, Monday through Friday in July and August.
