France, Italy mark 500th anniversary of Renaissance genius Da Vinci's death

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella on Thursday kicked off commemorations to mark 500 years since Leonardo da Vinci died in the French town of Amboise, paying their respects to the Renaissance genius, Agence France-Presse reported.

"The bond between our countries and our citizens is indestructible," Macron said after the two men lunched at the Clos Luce, the sumptuous manor house where Da Vinci spent the last three years of his life.

Mattarella and Macron, who was accompanied by his wife Brigitte, began their visit at the royal chateau in Amboise, where the heads of state laid wreaths at Da Vinci's grave.