The two leaders had a private visit to Leonardo’s grave, before having lunch at the nearby Clos Luce, the sumptuous manor house where Leonardo spent his last three years of life and died under the patronage of King Francis I.
They also planned to visit the chateau of Chambord, whose central double-helix staircase is attributed to Leonardo though the first stone was not laid until four months after his death in 1519.
The bilateral celebrations come after months of rising tensions between Paris and Rome over the hardline policies of Italy’s populist government and its support for France’s anti-government “yellow vest” protesters.
In the worst diplomatic crisis between the two countries since World War II, Paris briefly recalled its ambassador from Rome.
The French town of Amboise on the Loire River – where Leonardo died at the age of 67 – was in virtual lockdown due to fears of “yellow vest” protests.
Traffic in the town of just 13,000 was banned within a five-kilometre radius and all restaurants and stores were closed.
On Wednesday, dozens of cars were towed away, with some foreign owners apparently unaware that security had been bolstered for the occasion.
However, the day went ahead without any issues.
“The bond between our countries and our citizens is indestructible,” Macron said during Thursday’s celebrations.
Mattarella, staunchly pro-EU like Macron, played an “essential role” in lowering recent tensions, Macron’s office said.
