Da Vinci - Renaissance Man par excellence

This region of la Touraine is rich in humanist tradition and history. A philosophy with roots in ancient Greek and Latin thought, humanism saw its épanouissement during the Renaissance as philosophers, men of letters, science and medicine all looked at the definition of a "self made man" and how the values of the human being and life on earth were of utmost importance. Mon ami Rabelais, of course, was a part of the renewed motto of carpe diem, live life to the fullest. In the true spirit of humanism, there is no better, nor more well known figure associated with this time period than Leonardo Da Vinci. It just so happens that he spent the last three years of his life in a manor, Le Clos de Lucé, in Amboise, about 20 minutes away from Tours. He is buried in the chapel at the château at Amboise where he was a frequent guest of the King.

When we visited his house, it certainly seemed more like a château itself. What a thrill to be in the presence of such a great thinker, who was active in every discipline, from science to literature, to painting, to music. Not only is the house rich in artificacts, many from the epoch, but the garden is a marvel. In between the trees, lakes and lush grass are models of Leonardo's machines - bridges, windmills, pulleys, levers, etc.

While we were taking our tour, I became so overwhelmed with where I was, that I had to sneak off by myself just to breath it all in. Of course, the huge heat wave permeating Western Europe didn't help either! I sat down at "Leonardo's Café" in a shady spot and had the best café crème of my life. All the while, I kept thinking how I must dust off my flute, dig out my watercolours and get some more poems submitted for publication. There's nothing like the Renaissance Man to make you feel like you should be doing more!