Day 7 Châteaux Country Excursion.

A rich day of sightseeing. Drive through the 13,600-acre park of Chambord and stop for pictures in front of the massive Renaissance château. Visit lovely CHENONCEAUX, the 16th-century château of Catherine de Medici. At CLOS LUCÉ marvel at an amazing collection of models of Leonardo da Vinci's inventions, painstakingly reconstructed from the drawings of the great Renaissance genius. Finally tour the impressive fortress-castle of AMBOISE, royal residence of Charles VIII and burial place of Leonardo. Tonight is your chance to sample French cuisine at one of the area's excellent bistros. (BB)