On May 21st, we started our day with a tour of the Royal Chateau d'Amboise. The heart of royal power during the Renaissance, the chateau was a place to live and stay for all of the Valois and Bourbon kings, as well as a stage for numerous political events in the kingdom. Amboise was one of the favorite sites of the kings of France as they transformed their country during the Renaissance.
Among the many buildings on the grounds is the Saint Hubert Chapel. King Charles VIII, who was married Anne of Brittany*, began building the chapel in 1492, and it was finished just one year later. The chapel, dedicated to the patron saint of hunters, was designed for the kings' private use. It is built in the flamboyant Gothic style and is the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, who died in Amboise in May 1519.
*Anne of Brittany was such an important person in French history that she was discussed almost daily during our trip. She was the only woman to become queen of France twice and is highly regarded as a figure of Breton patriotism.
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