We know that Leonardo arrived in Amboise in the autumn of 1516 but do not know how he got here. There are as many theories as to how he travelled from Italy as there are books written about him. There are no records of his journey but if, as is generally thought, he travelled over the Alps, it maybe that François I, with his experience of the Alps, advised him the best time to go. Leonardo had travelled all over Italy but this journey, believed to have lasted almost three months, was the longest he had undertaken.

The Loire Valley is hosting hundreds of events to celebrate the momentous occasion but would be visitors may be hard pressed to find a room in Amboise. Hotels, filled to bursting, some with camera crews from lands far away including South Korea report full house well into October. When the visitors have gone home, the old Château will still be presiding over the picturesque town and the mighty Loire as it has for a thousand years.

When Leonardo da Vinci set off on his three month arduous journey across the Alps from Italy to Amboise he was sixty-four and unwell.

Leonardo taught himself Latin to read the books he needed for his research. Because he was illegitimate, he was barred from a formal education yet was the most widely read artist among his contemporaries.

Although Leonardo’s remains are in Saint Hubert’s chapel in Château Amboise, this is not, in fact, where he was buried.

In his will drawn up by Monsieur Boreau, notary to the Royal Court (the law firm was still in business as late as 1885) Leonardo asked to be buried in the Church of Saint Florentin in Château Amboise.

Leonardo invented the first humanoid robot in 1495 when the Duke of Milan asked him to come up with something special to impress his guests at the pageants he held in his castle.

By the time Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte gave Château Amboise to Roger Ducos, one of his henchman, the ancient church of Saint Florentin was falling into decay.

Religion being very much out of favour with French Revolutionaries, Ducos ordered its demolition.

The last time they saw each other was in 1499 in Italy, but by co-incidence Leonardo and his most loyal patron, Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, the Italians died in France just twenty-five miles from each other.