Thanks to the Saint Bris family of Close Lucé, much is known about Leonardo da Vinci’s life there, but there is surely more to discover? There is indeed.

Visiting Chateau Chambord recently it was a pleasant surprise to see portraits of the King of Poland who lived there for eight years courtesy of Louis XV. In England, the custom is known as a Grace and Favour home.

No wonder Chambord, one of the most famous châteaux in the world, the largest by far in the Loire Valley, features on many a bucket list. Even cynical seen one seen them all Château Chasers, say it’s a must which you don’t really believe until you are standing in front of it.

Benoît, at the huilerie in Amboise, was kept busy over Patrimoine Weekend. A steady stream of the curious came from near and far to see something rather special.

Thanks to its present owners Dominique Bailly, the sculptor, and Dominique Marches, the photographer, fans of Max and Dorothea can wander around the garden soaking up the atmosphere. One would not be the least surprised to see Max wander in so evocative is the home he loved. The Sculptor and the Photographer are without doubt worthy custodians of the great man’s legacy. He would be pleased.

‘Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's’. Alas, for the romantics among us, the silos in Amboise, the Greniers (granaries) de César are in all probability not built by him. Abbot Bosseboeuf (d.1928) from Tours thought the gigantic labyrinth was dug by Caesar but as nothing has yet come to light that he was ever in Amboise, Caesar’s Legionnaires makes more sense.

Walks around Château Gaillard in Amboise are well worth exploring. You never know what’s around the next corner, you certainly don’t expect to stumble across a romantic old wine press with the prestigious stamp Mabille Frères.

When the office of Mayor was created in France seems to have been lost in the mists of time, however, we do know that in 1558 the first mayor of Amboise was Élie Deodeau, Controller of the Queen’s Household, the Queen being Catherine de Medici.