Nocturnes Théâtrales au Clos Lucé
Theater under the stars in the gardens of Leonardo da Vinci
About Nocturnes Théâtrales
The Nocturnes Théâtrales au Clos Lucé: When Theater Illuminates the Renaissance
Every summer, the Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise opens its gardens at dusk to host the Nocturnes Théâtrales, an open-air performance festival that blends dramatic art with the exceptional heritage of Leonardo da Vinci's last home. For over twenty years, this summer program has offered spectators a unique cultural experience, in the heart of the Renaissance gardens where the Tuscan genius spent the last three years of his life.
An Exceptional Historical Setting
The Château du Clos Lucé, located a short walk from the Royal Château d'Amboise, is a place steeped in history. Invited by King Francis I in 1516, Leonardo da Vinci lived there until his death in 1519, conceiving his last inventions and maintaining a constant dialogue with the sovereign through an underground passage connecting the two castles. Today, the three-hectare park hosts reconstructions of Leonardo's machines and provides an ideal setting for evening performances.
A Demanding and Varied Theatrical Program
The Nocturnes Théâtrales offer a renewed program each year, ranging from the classical repertoire to contemporary creations. Recent editions have featured performances as varied as Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, Hamlet, Stéphane Landowski's Le Testament Médicis, and La Joconde parle enfin, a humorous monologue by Laurent Ruquier performed by Karina Marimon. In August, the Flâneries Nocturnes complement the program with offerings combining contemporary dance, visual arts, and poetic strolls through the illuminated gardens.
Unique Evenings Between Heritage and Creation
The performances begin at dusk, around 9:30 PM, offering spectators a privileged moment in the gardens of Clos Lucé. The scenography utilizes the castle's architecture and the park's vegetation to create unique atmospheres. Artists play with space, the natural light of twilight, and the historically charged atmosphere of the place, offering an immersive experience where theater dialogues with Renaissance heritage.
An Event Rooted in the Touraine Region
The Nocturnes Théâtrales are part of the rich cultural life of the Loire Valley and contribute to the influence of Clos Lucé, which welcomes over 450,000 visitors each year. The festival attracts a diverse audience, from theater lovers to passing tourists, seduced by the originality of this cultural offering in a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Nocturnes Théâtrales are organized in partnership with the City of Amboise and the Château du Clos Lucé, as part of the castle's summer cultural season, which also includes exhibitions, workshops, and festive events throughout the summer.
Nocturnes Théâtrales — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Nocturnes Théâtrales at Clos Lucé takes place on July 16, 17, and 18, 2026, at 9:30 PM, featuring the musical and theatrical show « Sur les pas de Léonard de Vinci » (In the Footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci), written and composed by Estelle Andrea and directed by William Mesguich. For three evenings, the illuminated castle and the park plunged into night transform into an open-air theatre set, in the spirit of the festivities Leonardo da Vinci organized during the Renaissance.
Nocturnes Théâtrales 2026 — « In the Footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci »
On July 16, 17, and 18, 2026, the Château du Clos Lucé hosts the Nocturnes Théâtrales with the musical show « Sur les pas de Léonard de Vinci », a creation by Estelle Andrea (text and music), directed by William Mesguich. Blending dialogues, original songs, live music, and video creation supported by a moving scenography, the show imagines the time travel of two young contemporaries, Lisa and Léo, transported five centuries back to Leonardo da Vinci's workshop, in the heart of the Italian Renaissance.
Performances begin at 9:30 PM, between the illuminated castle and the park barely discernible in the darkness, for an immersive experience where theatre dialogues with heritage.
These Nocturnes Théâtrales are part of Clos Lucé's 2026 cultural season, themed around water — the guiding thread of the program, accompanied by the exhibition « Léonard de Vinci, Maître de l'eau » (Leonardo da Vinci, Master of Water) (June 6 – September 13, 2026). The summer program continues in August with the Flâneries Nocturnes (Nocturnal Strolls) (August 7 and 8, 2026), featuring the company Les Quidams and their show « TOTEMS », giant luminous silhouettes over four meters tall wandering among the audience.
Programme Nocturnes Théâtrales 2026
Thursday, July 16, Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, 2026 — 9:30 PM
« In the Footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci » — musical and theatrical show, text and music by Estelle Andrea, directed by William Mesguich.
Lisa, a young artist, settles down to draw the Mona Lisa when it begins to speak and offers Lisa and her brother Léo an incredible journey through time: transported five hundred years back, they find themselves in the heart of the Italian Renaissance, in Leonardo da Vinci's very own workshop, surrounded by his machines, notebooks, and inventions. The show blends dialogues, original songs, live music, and video creation, with an evolving scenography, between the illuminated castle and the park in the twilight.
Highlights Nocturnes Théâtrales 2026
- Musical show « In the Footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci » (Estelle Andrea / William Mesguich) performed over three evenings
- Evening performances at 9:30 PM within the illuminated Château du Clos Lucé
- 2026 cultural season on the theme of water, echoing the exhibition « Léonard de Vinci, Maître de l'eau » (Leonardo da Vinci, Master of Water)
Prices Nocturnes Théâtrales 2026
Practical information — Nocturnes Théâtrales
Practical Information
Access
By car: Amboise is accessible via the A10 motorway (Amboise exit), about 25 km from Tours and 220 km from Paris. The Château du Clos Lucé is located at 2 rue du Clos Lucé, 500 meters from the Royal Château d'Amboise.
By train: Amboise station is served by TER trains from Tours (20 minutes) and Paris-Austerlitz (approximately 2 hours). Clos Lucé is a 15-minute walk from the station.
Times
Performances take place in the evening, generally starting at 9:30 PM. It is recommended to arrive early to enjoy the gardens before the show.
Ticketing
Tickets are on sale on the official website of the Château du Clos Lucé (vinci-closluce.com) and by phone at 02 47 57 00 73. Booking is strongly recommended as seats are limited.
Tips
- Bring clothing suitable for outdoor evenings (nights can be cool even in summer)
- Performances are held outdoors: bring rain gear in case of bad weather
- Seating is provided, but you can bring a cushion for added comfort
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Where does it take place — Nocturnes Théâtrales
Château du Clos Lucé - Parc Léonard de Vinci
2 rue du Clos Lucé, 37400 Amboise