Renaissance genius: Leonardo in Maulnes

The Château de Maulnes, a unique Renaissance gem, will host an exceptional exhibition dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci, the undisputed genius of the Renaissance, from May 8 to August 30, 2026. This exhibition offers the public the opportunity to discover the man, the artist, and the scientist through more than 80 models representing his inventions and research, and to highlight the obvious links between Leonardo's spirit and the Château de Maulnes, a Renaissance masterpiece.

 

Leonardo da Vinci, genius of the Renaissance

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) embodies the ideal of the Renaissance: artist, engineer, inventor, and observer of life. Invited to France by Francis I in 1516, he brought new ideas in architecture, engineering, and art to the kingdom. His influence contributed to the rise of a new way of thinking, based on observation, proportion, and innovation, which had a profound impact on 16th-century French culture and architecture.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors will be able to explore:

• 80 of Leonardo's machines and inventions, thanks to reproductions and interactive models.

• Ideal architecture and geometry, illustrated by the unique pentagonal plan of the Château de Maulnes.

• Gardens and water, with installations that pay tribute to Leonardo's hydraulic engineering.

Opening hours: May 8 to August 30, 2026.

• May 8 to July 3: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Weekends and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• July 4 to August 30: Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Prices (including tour of the castle):

• €10 adults | €8 concessions | €7 children | €30 family pass (2 adults, 2 children and €3 per additional child)

• Groups: please contact us. Free for schoolchildren from the Yonne department.