Three minutes out of town eagle eyed motorists may spot a sad old building squatting forlornly among the weeds, partially hidden by a forbidding wall. If they can be bothered to investigate they can read a plaque saying that it was once an Entrance Pavilion to the astonishing Palace of Chanteloup.

The Saint Bris family in Amboise are more than the justifiably proud owners of the lovely Château Clos Lucé and its magnificent gardens, they are far more important than that. Much more. They are custodians of the, well, it’s not too fanciful to say, soul, of Leonardo da Vinci. If his soul is anywhere, it’s here. Where he would want it to be. He certainly didn’t want to die in Italy. He never expressed any desire to return to the land of his birth.

For most people, Le Mans means the world famous hundred year old car race.

For some, Le Mans means its astonishing Cathedral with its famous flying buttresses.

For history buffs, Le Mans means hard man but ultimately tragic Henry Plantagenet who was born, baptised and hounded to his death in Le Mans by his wife and sons.

There are artists and there are artists and then there is the artist Cédo M. who kindly invited us to a Preview of his upcoming exhibition in his beguiling home.

Hidden from the road is a (sadly rusting) Meccano type contraption known as The Éolienne Bollée.

The Witan (Wise Men) of London chose the King of England. Bastards were not eligible that is until one, a Frenchman declared himself king.

Many beautiful Town Halls in France are re-jiggled châteaux which were built for royalty and the upper crust. Not so Tours. This grandiose palace - no exaggeration - fit for a king, was built by the people (the Council) for the people.

Its rather ugly plinth detracts from this wonderful work of art. It looks rather forlorn. Plonked down in a rather unlovely street. No wonder the half-man, half-bird looks as if it is preparing to take off.