European Festival of Renaissance Music

The European Festival of Renaissance Music: Music in the Time of Leonardo da Vinci

Since 2005, the European Festival of Renaissance Music has been reviving the sounds of the Renaissance in the prestigious setting of the Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci. This unique festival in France offers a program of concerts every September dedicated to the music of the 15th and 16th centuries, an era of artistic effervescence and cultural ferment of which Amboise was a major center.

Le Clos Lucé: A Renaissance Gem

The Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life at the invitation of Francis I, is the ideal setting for a festival dedicated to Renaissance music. The castle grounds, the historic salons, and the galleries dedicated to the work of the Florentine master offer an immersive environment that plunges the spectator into the cultural atmosphere of the Italian and French Renaissance.

A Program of International Excellence

Each year, the festival invites internationally renowned ensembles specializing in the historically informed performance of Renaissance music. For its 20th edition in 2025, the festival will host Jordi Savall and his ensemble Hespèrion XXI for an exceptional concert dedicated to the art of variation and improvisation.

Themes Exploring Cultural Exchanges

Each edition of the festival is built around a theme that highlights the cultural exchanges between European courts during the Renaissance. The 2024 edition explored the links between East and West, showing how the musical traditions of both worlds enriched each other. This thematic approach gives each edition its own identity and renewed interest.

A Festival Linked to the Clos Lucé Cultural Season

The European Festival of Renaissance Music is part of the cultural season of the Château du Clos Lucé, which celebrates a different aspect of Leonardo da Vinci's genius each year. Visitors can combine musical discovery with a visit to the castle, the grounds, and the galleries dedicated to the inventor, painter, and architect, thanks to combined tickets offering access to the festival and the entire site.

Rooted in Amboise's Heritage

By establishing itself in one of the most important sites of Loire Valley heritage, the festival contributes to the cultural influence of Amboise and the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It attracts an audience of music lovers and history enthusiasts from all over Europe, confirming the international vocation of this unique musical event.