Renaissance 500 year anniversary in the Loire Valley

2019 will mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci at Amboise, the start of the construction of the Château of Chambord and the birth of Catherine de’ Medici in Florence. The Loire Valley region will celebrate the artistic, scientific and intellectual effervescence of the Renaissance in France. The Loire Valley with its kings, gardens, river and valley interspersed with châteaux is considered the birthplace of the French Renaissance. Historic figures such as Francis I, Catherine de’ Medici and Leonardo da Vinci largely contributed to the spread of the Renaissance here and greatly stimulated artistic creation, philosophy, science and literature, of which the Loire Châteaux probably bear the greatest testimony. The Loire Valley and the Cathedrals of Chartres and Bourges have received the honour of being listed by UNESCO for their heritage and nature.

The Loire Valley was the privileged home of the Valois, and the Renaissance had a profound impact on both its central provinces of Touraine and Orléans and further afield, in Berry, Maine and Poitou. This effervescence led to the construction and development of many châteaux: the Domain of Chambord, Clos Lucé, the Châteaux of Amboise, Blois, Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Valençay, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Anet, Loches, Villandry and the cities of Bourges, Tours, Romorantin-Lanthenay, and more.

In 2019, it will be celebrating 500 years of Renaissance(s)… a renewed and reinvented Renaissance. The region aims to adopt an innovative and creative dynamic in association with major contemporary art venues

such as the FRAC (regional contemporary art collection) in Orléans, the CCCOD (Olivier Debré centre for contemporary creation) in Tours, the Transpalette in Bourges and the Regional Domain of Chaumont-surLoire, which is an Arts and Nature Centre. Leonardo da Vinci was a man who incarnated the possible, a symbol of art and science. The artist and scholar left Rome for Amboise in 1516 upon invitation by King Francis I, and came to live in the “Cloux”

Manor, now known as Clos Lucé. This is where the story of three French masterpieces began: The Mona Lisa, The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, and Saint John the Baptist, which are now kept at the Louvre. We have

a duty to promote this magnificent heritage, but also to prolong it.

The 2019 celebrations will be much more than a simple commemoration, the event will operate on a national and international scale, designed to create a popular historic, artistic and scientific movement based on an eclectic programme targeting both the general public and those with more in-depth knowledge.The programme will cover major themes of the Renaissance including heritage, arts and literature, music, gardens, science and technological revolutions, architecture, craftsmanship, gastronomy and way of life more generally.

Celebrations will be held throughout 2019. A cultural program is currently being put together, composed of

different highlights including a large travelling digital show mixing contemporary artistic and musical

creation, an international architecture competition, guided tours, banquets, many exhibitions,

international symposiums, etc.

More than a historic anniversary, “500 years of Renaissance(s)” will turn a new page to pursue this great

Renaissance revolution. Today, local heritage can be discovered through the most innovative forms of technology, and the Loire Valley encourages and supports multiple projects in this field. We invite you to join us by transmitting information about the project through your media. The Renaissance spirit is flowing through the Loire Valley! Loire valley USA organize for an English speaking clientele tours of the Loire valley from Paris: www.loirevalleystay.com www.loirevalleywinestours.com