New York - March 7, 2019: To mark the 500th anniversary of the start of the French Renaissance, the Loire Valley region is celebrating the Renaissance's cultural, artistic, scientific and intellectual developments with an array of events, exhibits, banquets, balls and more throughout 2019.
Major events to mark the anniversary include the following:
Exhibition: "Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper for Francois I, a masterpiece of gold and silk"
June 6 - September 9, 2019 at Château du Clos Lucé
To mark the anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death at the Château du Clos Lucé on May 2, 1519, a tapestry interpretation of The Last Supper will be on display at the chateau, presented in partnership with the Vatican Museums. This will be the first time since the 16th century that this 16-by-30-foot tapestry will be shown outside the Vatican. The tapestry was originally woven for King Francois I, but in 1533, he presented it to Pope Clement VII when his son Henry II married the Pope's niece, Catherine de Medici.
Chambord Festival
June 28 - July 13, 2019 at Château de Chambord
In honor of da Vinci, the 9th annual Chambord Festival will be centered around Italy this year, featuring modern and contemporary Italian musicians, including up-and-coming performers. The concerts will take place throughout the Chambord Estate, in its gardens, courtyard and chapel. The Château de Chambord - which dates back to the time of King Francois I - frequently hosted musicians and artists for festivities in the royal court.
"Viva da Vinci, 500 Years of the Renaissance" Digital Show
August 15 - September 15, 2019 at Bourges, Orléans, Blois, Tours, Chambord, Amboise, Châteauroux, Chartres
This traveling show offers a remarkable immersive and multi-disciplinary experience that marries art with technology. Video content will be projected on water and several solid surfaces, evoking Utopian Renaissance ideals and the innovative spirit of this historical movement. Da Vinci's work will be displayed through a dreamlike and poetical journey.
Other major events include:
Catherine de Medici's Room: A refurbished version of her former room
Through December 31, 2019 at Regional Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire
Catherine de Medici's Apothecary: A restored version of the Queen's former apothecary will open to the public
From Spring 2019 at Château de Chenonceau
Fluxshow2019: An exhibit displaying "spectacular artistic machines" with works by French and Italian artists
March - November 2019 at Fondation du Doute in Blois
A Contemporary Homage to Leonardo da Vinci: Interpretations of da Vinci's work by 30 well-known contemporary artists
April 1 - November 3, 2019 at Château du Rivau
Renaissance Ball: A grand Renaissance ball, with guests dressed in period costumes
May 18, 2019 at Château du Rivau and July 25, 2019 at Château Royal d'Amboise
Children of the Renaissance Exhibit: An exhibit centered around children raised during the Renaissance, with a focus on growing up as a member of the royal family
May 18 - September 1, 2019 at Royal Château of Blois
Azay and the New World: A new nighttime sound and light show within the chateau's grounds, illuminated by projections themed around the Renaissance
June 29 - September 1, 2019 at Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
For more Information on events in the Loire Valley, visit: https://www.vivadavinci2019.fr/en/
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