After more than five hundred years, thousands of books and millions of words written about Leonardo da Vinci, there are not many mysteries left surrounding him.

Where are Holmes, Morse and Lewis when you need them? The magnificent bronze on the banks of the Loire in Amboise poses many riddles.

In 1961, when the newly elected American President John F. Kennedy made an official visit to Paris, he didn’t impress French President Charles de Gaulle but Jackie (née Bouvier) America’s First Lady certainly impressed André Malraux, French minister of cultural affairs.

Hitler’s invasion of Europe gave him, Goering, Goebbels, Ribbentrop et al Carte Blanche to plunder priceless works of art.

On 25 August 1939 the Louvre in Paris closed its doors for three days to crate up its collection. It was so secret, the government was not told.

Until 1911, when the portrait of Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in Paris, very few knew anything about it.

After more than five hundred years surely everything there is to be known about the most famous painting in the world is known? Isn’t it? No.

When Francis I appointed Leonardo da Vinci Premier Painter, Architect and Engineer to the Court of France the event heralded the beginning of most famous art gallery in the world.

The Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Architect Galleries at Château du Clos Lucé, the latest initiative in the Saint Bris mission to keep the memory of the Master alive and well are an absolute triumph. Very impressive. Awesome in fact. They by far exceed expectations.