CDP Theme Day for May - "laugh"

The first of every month is Theme Day for the worldwide bloggers of City Daily Photo and today's theme is "laugh".  Here, it's "Miller Time" for these participants in a historical reenactment spectacle on the grounds of Clos Lucé.

To see how the others interpreted this theme click here.

the dovecote at Clos Lucé

Yesterday I (digitally) posted a shot of the interior of this clever building.  I say clever because the following is a description that is (physically) posted outside:

"The dovecote or "fuye" of the Château du Clos Lucé was built in 1480 by Etienne le Loup ....  The dovecote, unique of its kind in the Touraine, consists of a square exterior and an octagonal interior, and is built of brick, tuta limestone and mortar.  The angles between the outer and inner walls allow for a constant circulation of air essential for the successful hatching and rearing of young birds.  Two thirds of the way up the outside wall is the "larmier", a flat outcrop of projecting stones, convex on the lower side, to which slates were nailed to prevent predators, rats, ferrets, weasels, from climbing into the dovecote to steal eggs, drink the blood of young pigeons and drive away the parent birds.  A gap at the base of the roof timers allowed the birds to enter and leave the dovecote.  The roof is covered in flat tiles and topped by a finial in the form of a phallus, symbolizing fertility."

inside the dovecote at Clos Lucé

This amazing dovecote (shelter for raising pigeons) at Clos Lucé was built in 1480, about 30 years before the arrival of Leonardo da Vinci there.

the Renaissance juggler

This juggler put on quite a show at a recent special event at Clos Lucé.

a little bit of Giverny in Amboise

This charming bridge and pond can be found on the grounds of Clos Lucé.

Leonardo's studio

It's been 500 years since Leonardo da Vinci left Italy to spend his final years in Amboise. He brought with him three of his masterpieces including the Mona Lisa.  His home here, Clos Lucé is currently commemorating his arrival with various programs and exhibitions.  Shown here is a recreation of the artist's workshop.

now that's a costume

This fellow was strolling around the grounds of Clos Lucé when I snapped this shot.  He was quite shy and just didn't seem to want to pose for me.  Maybe he'll open up, so to speak, for Halloween.

how to make an entrance

This is one of the exterior doors to Clos Lucé, the home where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years in Amboise.  As impressive as it it, this is not the main entrance.

Marignan 2015 - supporting the troops

The battle of Marignan was fought over a two day period so hostilities ceased when it was too dark to see.  The troops on both sides rested and had supporters like these to help feed them and tend to the wounded.  Here they're watching the ongoing battle in front of them.

Again, I must say the costumes were magnificent.  After the performance, the cast stayed around "off stage" so the audience could see them up close, take photos, and ask questions.

Marignan 2015 - the battle

OK, so you've been wondering what about the battle, so here it starts.  The smoke is from the cannon fire and boy was it loud.  There were warriors representing both the French and Swiss troops of course.  The simulated battle was very well choreographed and did a wonderful job of showing what hand to hand combat was like back then.  Fortunately, the French won again this time.

Marignan - the nobles

The 1518 version of the celebration was played for the benefit of the nobles and the royal court.  I thought this couple looked perfect in those roles.  Of course, there were many more but I decided it was better to limit the view to see more detail.

Marignan 2015 - the costumes

Today, and for the rest of the week, I'll be showing you more images of the big show Sunday night (see yesterday's post).  To me the most fascinating aspect of it was the variety and quality of the costumes.  In my view, they were impeccable.  Here are only a few samples.  But in addition there were also musicians, guards, dancers, nobility, and lots of warriors.,, over 400 in all.

The 1518 celebration was designed by Leonardo de Vinci and the architect of château Chambord.  So in this modern version, actors played the roles of Leonardo (bottom, right) and King François I (bottom, left).  The other fellow played the host for the evening and explained all of the events that were to follow.

Marignan 2015 - the joust

Last night at Clos Lucé, there was another event celebrating the 500th anniversary of the ascension of King François I to the throne of France in 1515.  The evening was actually a re-creation of an event in 1518 to celebrate the victory in battle between the French and the Swiss near the town of Marignan (French spelling) in Italy.  This was only one of many battles fought during the Italian Wars from 1494 to 1559.  With this victory, France regained control over the Lombardy region of Italy (at least for awhile).  The 21 year old King himself led the French forces into battle and was hailed as a hero.

One element of both the 1518 and the 2015 celebrations was a jousting event.  I found it amazing to see these horsemen demonstrate their riding skills while in armor.

Here is a wider view of the performance on the grounds of Clos Lucé (Leonardo's home at the time of the 1518 spectacle).

the roof of Clos Lucé

This is the rather complex roof line of Leonardo's former residence, Clos Lucé.

CDP Theme Day "Facade" - Ateliers à Clos Lucé

This industrial looking building actually houses the music and dance studios (ateliers) on the grounds of Clos Lucé (see my earlier post).  I found this grey mix of shapes and textures interesting although it certainly stands in stark contrast to the formal 16th century mansion of Leonardo da Vinci nearby.  Leonardo might have agreed as he was "into" engineering and spiral staircases.

The first of every month the bloggers of City Daily Photo post a photo on a common theme.  Today it is "facade".

Hints of Spring at Clos Lucé

This is the view that Leonardo would have had from Clos Lucé towards the château where his friend and benefactor François I resided.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, the two could pass between the two locations via an underground tunnel.

Clos Lucé - Leonardo da Vinci's home in Amboise

Three years before his death in 1519, Leonardo was convinced by French king Francis I (here that would be François I) to leave Italy for Amboise to live out his last years.  The mansion that the king provided for Leonardo, Clos Lucé, is of course one of the main tourist attractions here.  The home has been meticulously restored and furnished.  On the bottom floor you will find a museum with models and videos of many of his inventions.  There you will also see the entrance to the underground tunnel that connects the mansion with the king's château (unfortunately it is not open to the public).  On the grounds of Clos Lucé there are full size models of some of his inventions that are designed to not only entertain but also to educate kids.  And of course you can buy your own scale models (among many, many other things) in the gift shop.