SCHOOL groups
Visit Options
The château, park, and Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Architect gallery: discover the site at your own pace. Teachers lead their group autonomously, using the resources available (models and explanatory panels) to design and deliver an educational project tailored to their class.
- Average Visit Duration: 1h30-3h
With this option, activity booklets tailored to the school curriculum are provided to teachers in order to make the most of the site's educational resources. Designed in partnership with the local education authority, these resources are multidisciplinary, scientifically rigorous, yet engaging, so that pupils learn while having fun.
To prepare for the visit, teachers receive an educational kit in advance, including a teacher's booklet and a copy of the pupil's booklet. On the day of the visit, each pupil receives a booklet and a pencil.
- Average Visit Duration: 3 hours
- Levels: Cycle 2 (ages 7-9), Cycle 3 (ages 9-11), and Secondary Level (ages 11-15)
- View excerpts from booklets: GS-CP-CE1, CE2-CM1-CM2, Secondaire
During a costumed guided tour, Mathurine, Leonardo da Vinci’s cook and servant, opens the doors to the Clos Lucé to share the history and legends of this iconic site.
- Guided Tour Duration: 1 hour (house or park depending on the season)
- Age: from 7 years
- Group Size: 30 pupils maximum
- Booking: directly with the Amboise Tourist Office: +33 (0)2 47 57 00 69 ou resa@amboise-valdeloire.com
Educational Workshops
To deepen your knowledge of Leonardo da Vinci’s work and better understand the world of the Renaissance, the Clos Lucé invites you to take part in one of 16 workshops divided into five themes.
- 1-hour Workshop
- Group Size: 12 to 18 pupils
- Price: €12 per pupil (in addition to entry fee)
5 Themes, 16 Workshops:
Architecture – Leonardo’s Bridges
Whether addressing urban planning or military logistics challenges, Leonardo da Vinci devised many different types of bridges. From simple footbridges to swing bridges, two-tiered bridges and arch bridges, pupils are confronted with the same problems that the artist encountered in his architectural projects. After identifying and solving these challenges, they bring Leonardo’s drawings to life in the form of models.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
It’s in the Air
Leonardo’s dream of human flight led him to imagine many flying machines. During this workshop, pupils discover and experiment with the physical properties of air in order to understand how several of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions worked: the flying wing, the aerial screw and the parachute.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
The Inner Workings of Gears
In this workshop, hands-on experimentation helps pupils understand the fundamental principles of gears (transmission of motion, speed reduction) and the importance of these mechanisms in the workings of Leonardo’s machines and in our everyday lives.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
The Power of Levers
Many of Leonardo’s inventions use the principle of the lever. This workshop enables pupils to understand this essential principle, to see its applications in several inventions, and to become familiar with concepts such as the fulcrum, the pivot and the arm.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
Renaissance Mathematics
During this workshop, pupils embark on a journey through time to discover the remarkable Vitruvian Man. Through this iconic figure from Leonardo’s research, pupils explore the proportions of the human body, the golden ratio and the early development of measurement systems.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
Leonard’Eau (Leonardo’s Water)
Among his many talents, Leonardo da Vinci was also an engineer. During this workshop, pupils will learn about the fundamental principles of hydraulics and analyse how several of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions work: the paddle boat, the water turbine and Archimedes’ screw. From April to October.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
Introduction to Drawing in the Footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci
Pupils are introduced to art by exploring drawing and pastel techniques. The theme of the workshop is decided in consultation with the teacher to ensure it fits seamlessly into their teaching programme: portraiture, colour, perspective, drawing a flying machine, caricature, etc.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with Antoine Fantony, illustrator
Renaissance Pigments
The pigments used in painting to produce colour can be of animal, vegetable, mineral or synthetic origin. In this workshop, pupils discover the rich variety of pigments used by Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance. They are then invited to produce a sketch using a sample of plant-based paint that they have prepared themselves.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
Exploring Leonardo’s Garden
Throughout his life, Leonardo da Vinci closely observed plants, trees and nature in order to depict them faithfully in his works. In this workshop, pupils explore Leonardo’s garden and the artist’s paintings displayed there, in order to identify and recognise the flowers and shrubs he depicted. They then create their own sketches of plants, thereby gaining an introduction to Leonardo’s approach to observation and drawing.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
The Ecosystem of Leonardo’s Garden
What is an ecosystem? To answer this question, pupils learn about the composition and functioning of a living environment, as well as the interactions and interdependencies at play within it. The ecosystem of Leonardo’s Garden is a real-life example of this .
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
Leonardo da Vinci and the Secret of Plants
By meticulously observing nature for inspiration, the artist developed a botanist’s way of reasoning. Drawing on his core teachings, pupils learn how plants function: their water needs, the importance of sunlight, the role of roots, geotropism, phyllotaxis… (concepts will be covered according to the pupils’ level).
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with ArboréSciences
The Art of Dining in the Renaissance
At the Auberge du Prieuré, pupils discover Renaissance cuisine, customs and the art of dining. This two-part workshop begins with the group preparation of a simple Renaissance shortbread recipe. While the biscuits are baking, pupils learn about the tableware and the customs of peasants and lords at table during the Renaissance. Tasting at the end of the workshop.
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School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
On the Spice Route
From the garden to the Mediterranean, from India to the Americas, this workshop at the Auberge du Prieuré offers a multi-sensory discovery of the spices used and/or discovered during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Pupils will gain an understanding of the role these spices played in the daily lives of peasants and lords. Tasting of a Renaissance biscuit at the end of the workshop.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
In partnership with Sieur Sausin, a consultant in historical cuisine
Music and Dance at the Court of Francis I
Designed as an interactive educational performance, this workshop takes pupils on a journey through the sounds and songs of the Renaissance. They will discover musical instruments and be introduced to some of the dances of the period.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
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Group Size: 12 to 30 pupils
In partnership with Yannick Lebossé, musician
Let’s Dance!
This workshop focuses on Renaissance dances, immersing pupils in the festive atmosphere of Leonardo’s time. They discover a range of musical instruments and are introduced to five or six dances, from the most popular to those in vogue at court.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
- Group Size: 12 to 30 pupils; an equal number of girls and boys are preferred
In partnership with Yannick Lebossé, musician
Words and Sounds
An accomplished musician, Leonardo da Vinci uses a lyra da braccio to accompany his poetic improvisations. Guided by a musician, the children learn to recite and perform the poems they have composed themselves, in the bel esprit style of the Renaissance.
- School Levels: Primary (ages 6-11), Secondary (ages 11-15), Sixth Form (ages 15-18)
- Group Size: 12 to 30 pupils
In partnership with Yannick Lebossé, musician
Practical Information
Self-Guided Visit
- Pupil: 10,80 €
- Accompanying Adult: 14,80 €
Visit with Educational Resources
- Pupil: 12,30 €
- Accompanying Adult: 14,80 €
Costumed Guided Tour
- Pupil: 18 €
- Accompanying Adult: 22,50 €
Costumed Guided Tour Combined Clos Lucé + Royal Château of Amboise1
- Pupil:35,40€
- Accompanying Adult: 30,60€
Educational Workshops
- Pupil: 12 €
- Accompanying Adult: –
General Terms and Conditions
- School group rates: Children/pupils aged 6 to 18.
- For nursery schools: Self-guided visit €3, visit with educational resources €4.50.
- Rates applicable for groups of at least 15 paying pupils.
- 1 accompanying adult free for every 15 paying pupils.
- Free entry for the coach driver.
- Payment on site or by purchase order.
- Workshop times must be respected to ensure they run smoothly. In the event of a delay of more than 15 minutes, we reserve the right to cancel the workshop or adjust its duration. In all cases, the workshop will remain chargeable.
1For groups of 20 pupils or more, when booking this combined ticket, you must check availability of your date with both sites and then send confirmation of your booking to each. Payment is made separately at each site:
- Château du Clos Lucé (drawing workshop included): €22.80 per pupil and €14.80 per paying accompanying adult.
- Royal Château of Amboise: €12.60 per pupil and €15.80 per paying accompanying adult.
Château Royal d’Amboise – B.P. 371 – 37 403 Amboise cedex. Tel.: 02 47 57 00 98 – contact@chateau-amboise.com – www.chateau-amboise.com
Renaissance Lunch at the Auberge du Prieuré
Your immersion in the world of Leonardo da Vinci continues with a Renaissance-inspired meal served in the 15th-century priory, in the heart of the park. Welcomed by waiters in period costume, students can enjoy dishes inspired by the cuisine of the era.
Set menu: starter, main course, dessert
- €18: primary school pupils
- €21: secondary and sixth form pupils
- €21: accompanying adults
Picnic Basket
The Clos Lucé’s Terrasse Renaissance restaurant prepares picnic baskets, freshly made in the morning, all year round, including 1 sandwich, 1 packet of crisps, 1 cheese, a fruit compote and 1 bottle of water (contents may vary according to season and special dietary requirements).
- €9 per person
Arrange your own Lunch
A picnic area is available in the heart of the park, opposite the playground.
Booking form
Please fill in the form below to book your visit to the Clos Lucé. This form has 4 sections: your visit, your establishment, your visit format, and finalising the booking.
Paul Riffault
reservations@vinci-closluce.com
02 47 57 55 78