Le Buisson Bed & Breakfast

La Pagode: An 18th Century Folly

by von.otter

“To the Duke of Choiseul a diamond, the color of a blue stone, a black, pierced casket and a cup.”
— from the will of Jeanne-Antoinette, Marchioness de Pompadour, Versailles, 15.April.1764

THE KINDNESS OF FRIENDS Étienne François, Duke of Choiseul, had more to thank Madame de Pompadour for than a few bequeathed trinkets. The mistress of Louis XV took up the cause of the advancement of the duke’s political and military career after he bought potentially damaging letters written by the king.

Later, the duke would be laid low by the king’s next mistress, Madame du Barry. She acted as a messenger for the duke’s enemies, carrying criticisms and complaints to the king until Louis exiled the duke to his Loire Valley château, far from the glitter and glamor of the court at Versailles and Paris.

Just outside Amboise we found an unusual sight, la pagode de Chanteloup. This 144-foot tall pagoda is all that remains of the Duke of Choiseul’s Château de Chanteloup. It was begun in 1775 and completed in three years. La Pagoda is seven levels high, and the spiral staircase narrows as it reaches the top, making for an oh-so-tight squeeze to reach the uppermost observation deck.

As sweet as it is, la pagode is in desperate need of a good paint job and much TLC!

Some may think visiting this chinoiserie folly is a folly in itself. The 7 euros admission fee (more than $12 at the July 2008 exchange rate!) was a steep charge just to climb a tower and look at a lake and the surrounding fields. Please keep in mind, no one ever said that you travel to save money! It was really great fun and a welcome relief from the crowds of the more popular sights in the area. It is a workout to walk from the parking lot to the sight and then to climb la pagode; so some exercise can be had!

La pagode stands within its own 34.5 acre park. There is a café on the grounds for lunch, or bring your own picnic; there are picnic tables. Row boats can be rented for a spin around la grande pièce d’eau at the rate of
4 euros for half an hour and 6 euros for an hour. There are 18th century children’s games and toys on the grounds; there is no charge to play with these games.

Look at the web site, which is in French only, for seasonal opening times; the sight is not open year round.

Council Chamber

by Maria81

The council chamber is the largest room in the house, also vaulted and features two fireplaces - a Gothic and a Renaissance one. There are more decorations in the form of initials of Anne de Bretagne and her first husband - King Charles VIII.

Chapel Saint Hubert

by Dariana

This small chapel is dedicated to Saint–Hubert ,saint patron of the hunters. Built by Charles VIII for the private use of the Royal family its Flamboyant gothic style make of it a little stone jewel. Its fame is due to Leonardo da Vinci`s tomb who died in Amboise in 2 may 1519.

Château du Clos-Lucé: da Vinici’s Last Home

by von.otter

“No being disappears into the void.”
— Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN The above bit of wisdom was the last thing that da Vinci wrote; he then asked for the Holy Sacrament; and then he died on 2.May.1519, aged 67 in his bedroom at Clos-Lucé.

In 1515, da Vinci was called to Bologna and to design a centerpiece for the peace negotiations between François I and Pope Leo X. This is where he first met the 21-year old king.

In 1516, on the advice of his sister Marguerite, François extended an invitation to Leonardo to come to the French court. At Amboise he was given the 12th century manor house Clos-Lucé, not far from Château d’Amboise. The artist brought with him three of his paintings, the Mona Lisa, St. Anne, and St. John the Baptist, which he completed here.

Leonardo was appointed “first painter, engineer and architect of the King.” The king granted him a pension of 700 golden ecus a year to work. However, his primary duty was to talk with François, who visited him regularly. Da Vinci was treated with real affection by the king, who called him “my father.”

Amboise, France

by lgl4726

"Along the Loire"

Amboise is a beautiful, but touristy city along the Loire. We were fortunate to find a lovely Bed and Breakfast in the center of the town walking distance from most of the sites. I will list some of my better tips for enjoying this lovely city.