A true artistic and cultural explosion originating in Italy, the Renaissance allowed France to discover the great Leonardo da Vinci and to build magnificent castles. During this period, Francis I, the “Knight King,” sought to adorn France with every splendor, while the Wars of Religion deeply divided the country. From the Loire Valley to Paris, which was establishing itself as a true capital, this journey through time offers a chance to admire spectacular achievements of the era, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s castle, the Queen’s Palace, and the Samaritaine Fountain.