Are you planning to explore the Loire Valley and its châteaux? Take time to visit the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire!
Known the world over for its International Garden Festival, the estate is a mecca for landscape design and contemporary art. In the heart of this green and creative setting, the castle stands out for its magnificence and rich history. Whether you're a lover of art, gardens or historical anecdotes, you'll be enchanted by the estate! Read our article to get a glimpse of its treasures.
Discover our useful tips in pictures to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire?
Is the estate worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, the field is definitely worth exploring. We fell in love! The 15th-century château, also known as Château de Chaumont, will captivate you with its prestige. You'll travel back in time to meet France's nobility and famous intellectuals. The historic park, and above all the perennial and temporary gardens, will transport you into a world of daring and artistic innovation. Don't miss this jewel of the Loire. It's one of the best castles in the region!
Why is the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire famous?
Perhaps you've already heard of it? The estate is world-famous for hosting the famous Festival International des Jardins (April to November)! It has been a landmark in landscape art since 1992, and is one of the most beautiful parks on the Loire. The beauty and boldness of the park's gardens attract professionals and amateurs from all horizons every year. And why shouldn't you?
The estate also owes its reputation to its prestigious history. Over the centuries, the château has been home to many great personalities. The French queen Catherine de Médicis, her rival the duchess Diane de Poitiers, the American inventor Benjamin Franklin and the novelist Madame de Staël have all stayed here. We followed in their footsteps during our visit!
Our favorite moments
There's plenty to marvel at at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire! We particularly liked it:
- The great trees of the historicpark: some of them over a hundred years old, these venerable witnesses to the past majestically dominate the flowerbeds, enhancing the view of the Loire and the château. We enjoyed the view!
- The council chamber: the colors of the magnificent "Majolica" tiles and the sublime hangings in the council chamber brightened up our visit!
- The extraordinary perennial gardens: bold and poetic, the permanent gardens are a journey into the very best of landscape design. We were transported!
History in brief
The estate's past is rich in anecdotes. You'll be amazed!
- Middle Ages: Built around the year 1000, the Fortress of Chaumont stands guarding the border between the counties of Blois and Anjou.
- Renaissance: In 1465, King Louis XI had the building burnt down to protect it from the intrigues of the d'Amboise family. Back in favor, she built a new Renaissance-style château a few years later. Around 1550, Queen Catherine de Médicis acquired the estate and, on the death of her husband Henri II in 1560, exchanged it with Diane de Poitiers, the deceased's favorite, for Chenonceau. She undertook the work that shaped the château and gave it its current appearance, as we saw it during our visit.
- 18th century: The castle is bought by Jacques Donatien Le Ray. It was home to such luminaries as the American inventor and politician Benjamin Franklin and the woman of letters Madame de Staël. We'll tell you more about it later!
- 19th and 20th centuries: The estate is acquired by the princely de Broglie family, who restore the château to its former splendor. A life of parties and receptions enlivened the estate for 40 years. We got a sense of this sumptuous past when we visited the luxurious rooms in the main building. Finally ruined, the Princesse de Broglie sold the estate to the State, which in turn transferred it to the Centre-Val de Loire Region.
WHERE TO STAY IN Blois
Downtown
Enjoy the city, its restaurants and beautiful architecture.
- Fleur de Loire Hotel - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Château des Basses Roches - prices, pictures and availability
In the southern countryside: Chambord, Chevery
Surrounded by castles and charming villages, less than 30 minutes from Blois
- Hotel Relais de Chambord - prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Les Sources de Cheverny - prices, pictures and availability
In the northern countryside
For a little peace and quiet, but close to the city. Fewer castles.
- Hotel Le Grand Cèdre - prices, pictures and availability
Access and map: Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire
Where is the estate?
- In the town of Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Driving time from Blois: 25min
- Driving time from Amboise: 25min
- Driving time from Tours: 50min
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get there?
You can reach the estate by car. It is accessible via several secondary roads, the D952, D751 and D27. The car is one of the most efficient ways of getting around the region. Looking for a rental? Here's our advice.
Are you a fan of public transit? Chaumont-sur-Loire is also accessible by train and bus. From Amboise or Blois, take a TER train and stop at Onzain-Chaumont-sur-Loire (10min). Book your train ticket here. Then take the S59 bus towards Mairie and get off at Avenue Prince Albert, 2 minutes from the estate. There are few buses during the day. Click here to consult the timetable. You can choose to walk from the train station to the estate. It's a 45-minute walk.
Why not come by bike too? The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is located on the Loire cycle route. Looking for a few days to discover the region's finest tourist attractions? Read our article on the subject!
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Parking
The site has a large, free parking lot at the southern entrance to the estate, rue des Argillons. You can park your car here, as well as your camper van if you have one. A dedicated bicycle storage area is available. Do you cycle the Loire? All our tips and tricks on the subject here!
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating...
Best time to visit
The summer season sees the park decked out in color and installations thanks to the Festival International des Jardins. This is undoubtedly the best time to visit the estate. FromApril to November, you can enjoy both the château and the beauty of the ephemeral and permanent gardens. To avoid the crowds, we recommend arriving as soon as the show opens. It's also great to discover the area in winter. Specific exhibitions are then proposed. Find out more here. Your visit will undoubtedly be more exclusive, but the gardens won't be as full of flowers.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow at least half a day to explore the estate. Why not take your time and spend a day or two there? The site has so many surprises to offer! You'll need several hours to visit the château and wander through the 55 hectares of parkland and gardens if you feel like it! Stay on site by booking a room at Bois des Chambres, the estate's arts and nature hotel. You can even extend the experience and sleep in a nearby castle. See our dedicated article here.
The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire provides facilities for people with reduced mobility or disabilities:
- 6 dedicated parking spaces
- Wheelchairs available (reservation recommended), as well as recliners.
- Several adapted washrooms
- Adapted tour documents (including Braille)
- Adapted guided tours
- Access to the château (first floor, courtyard, chapel, store)
- Access to the historic park and stables
- Access to a selection of temporary and permanent gardens
- Free admission
For more information, visit the official website here.
Advice on how to visit
The estate is so vast that it is ideal for self-guided tours. We let our intuition guide us. Do the same when you come to visit us, or take inspiration from the route we've taken. After exploring the farm and stables, we headed for the château. Once over the drawbridge, we crossed the large courtyard and entered the imposing residence. Welcomed by an art installation on the first floor, we then ventured upstairs. From room to room, we travelled through the prestigious history of the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire!
Attracted by the green and colorful exterior, we continued our visit to the historic park in the shade of the tall trees and the many works of contemporary art dotted around the estate. Heading in the opposite direction, we entered the ephemeral gardens of the Festival International des Jardins. The poetry of the landscape creations enchanted us. Our curiosity finally led us to the Goualoup meadows to discover the perennial gardens.
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Visiting with children
The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is a great place to visit with the whole family. The green spaces are ideal for outdoor games and horseback riding! You'll also be seduced by the temporary and permanent gardens, which are often of a playful nature. Several workshops and treasure hunts for children are offered throughout the year. Find out more here. Take advantage of the picnic area near the parking lot at the south entrance. For the little ones, there are baby areas, a bottle warmer in the park café and a stroller garage at the château entrance.
Schedules and rates
The estate is open all year round, except on December 25 and January 1. Timetables vary according to the season:
- November to January: 10am-5pm
- February to March: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- April: 10am-7pm
- April to September: 10am-8pm
- October: 10am-7pm
Prices for the Festival International des Jardins are as follows:
- Full price: €20
- Reduced rate: €12
- Children's rate (6-11 years): €6
- Family price: €40
- Price for 2 consecutive days: €35
Outside the festival, prices differ:
- Full price: €15
- Reduced rate: €8
- Children's price (6-11 years): €4
- Family price: €30
Click here for more information on prices and timetables.
Guided tours
The estate offers guided tours of the château, contemporary art installations and the Festival International des Jardins. Reservations can be made on site. Click here for practical information. You can also opt for an exclusive tour and take advantage of the opportunity to discover other castles by choosing private tours:
- Enjoy a private tour of the Loire castles of Villandry, Blois and Chaumont, departing from Paris. Discover the activity here.
- Why not try a 2-day tour to discover the Loire Valley, 6 châteaux, including Chaumont, and taste local wines? Check prices and availability.
More ideas here!
Hosting
The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is packed with things to see. Why not take the time to discover them all and sleep in? Part of the estate, Hôtel Au Bois des Chambres is a haven of serenity. After or before your visit, you can enjoy the calm design of the establishment in an Alcôve or Perchée room. With its focus on the arts and nature, the setting echoes the tranquility of the gardens. Book your room now!
Catering
There are several food and beverage outlets on the estate:
- Take a gourmet break near the south entrance to the park's café, the Café des Savoirs et des Saveurs. Enjoy hot or cold drinks and sweet or savoury snacks in the middle of books!
- The Comptoir des Tilleuls will surprise you with its revisiting of local products through an eco-responsible approach.
- During the festival, the temporary restaurant le Grand Velum opens its doors to you. Let yourself be tempted by this creative culinary workshop and its garden-coloured dishes!
- Located in the Hôtel Au Bois des Chambres, the Grand Chaume will amaze you with its inventive gourmet cuisine and atypical decor!
You can also head for Blois, which has no shortage of good restaurants! Read our tempting selection of restaurants in Blois (coming soon).
There's no shortage of good addresses in the area either:
- Get a change of scene at Au P'tit Troglo! Just a 10-minute walk away, the restaurant serves excellent Breton galettes!
- Continue along the banks of the Loire and stop off at Proust's La Madeleine. You'll love their carefully prepared local cuisine!
- We also recommend Fou d'Loire. Have a great time with friends and family in this friendly restaurant!
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In the beginning, the castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire
A château at the heart of French history
A visit to the castle will transport you into its prestigious past. Expect to meet illustrious characters as you explore the sumptuous rooms and history of France! We learned some amazing anecdotes about the French queen Catherine de Médicis and the duchess Diane de Poitiers. On the death of the king, the queen decided to exchange the château with her rival Diane, the favorite of the deceased Henry II, for the Château de Chenonceau. She has no choice but to accept! During your visit, you'll see that both women left their mark on the area.
We were also surprised to learn that the famous Benjamin Franklin stayed at the château in the 19th century. He won the support of his host, who agreed to send a ship loaded with munitions to the American independence fighters. As you explore the area, you may come across the memory of Madame de Staël, the great French literary figure exiled by Napoleon. Whatever the case, you'll be captivated by the former splendor of the Broglie family (the princely family who once owned the site), which still permeates the château. If you listen carefully, you may be able to hear the distant echoes of those superb receptions that brought so many of Europe's finest together!
An exceptional heritage
When you venture up to the castle and see its majestic silhouette, you'll be struck by the beauty of its Renaissance architecture. Rebuilt in 1500 after being burnt down, the monument is distinguished by its numerous towers and finely sculpted facades. After crossing the magnificent drawbridge, we admired the courtyard and the superb spiral staircase. It prefigures the Château de Blois. Look up to contemplate the sculptural work and stained glass windows depicting the coats of arms of the estate's owners, up to and including the Broglie family.
As you enter the building, you'll come across poetic art installations. Venture to the 1st floor and explore luxurious interiors. After visiting Catherine de Médicis' bedroom, we moved on to the council chamber. We stood in awe of the extraordinary colors of its "Majolica" Sicilian tiles and the " Planets and Days" hanging. After exploring the king's bedroom and the digital gallery, we headed back down to the south wing to admire the dining room. The luxury of the room and the neo-Gothic decorations on the fireplace caught our eye. We finished our exploration of the château with the library, the Empire drawing room and the chapel.
As we wandered around, we noticed some remarkable collections of furniture and objects. The Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire is one of the most furnished châteaux on the Loire! We particularly appreciated the collection of 15th and 16th century trunks that adorn some of the rooms. Decorated with scrolls and animals, the chest in Ruggieri's bedroom is magnificent. The sumptuous Empire furniture also attracts attention. Beautiful portraits adorn the walls, reminding us of the château's grandiose past.
The historic park and its astonishing outbuildings
Stroll along the long avenues of the historic park and enjoy the majesty of the immense trees. Extending over several hectares, this area was designed at the end of the 19th century by Henri Duchêne, the greatest French landscape architect of the time. Cross the rustic bridge and venture up to the water tower. The park is also home to a special cemetery, the Dog Cemetery. It was created by Princess de Broglie, who loved animals. The panorama is not to be overlooked either! Admire the Loire from the heights of the park.
Near the entrance to the estate, you can also discover the château's former farm and stables. They were the site of innovations in the 19th century, such as the introduction of electric lighting at the same time as the Opéra Garnier in Paris! Click here for more information on visits to this sublime cultural site. We were able to appreciate the new decor of these outbuildings, a blend of history and contemporary art.
The extraordinary Festival International des Jardins
The story
Perhaps you've already heard of the Festival International des Jardins de Chaumont-sur-Loire? In 1992, taking advantage of the site's 55 hectares of parkland, the château team created a festival promoting the contemporary creation in the field of gardens and landscaping. A veritable laboratory, the event has become a world-renowned event. Over 500 gardens have been created over the seasons! We witnessed the poetic madness that transforms part of the estate into an artistic delirium.
From April to November, you'll have the chance to discover the astonishing ideas of some twenty prizewinners selected via an international competition organized in advance by the festival. Every year, the theme is renewed, a constraint that encourages creative freedom. Here are just a few examples to whet your appetite for the next edition: ricochets, gardens of delights, flower power, mobiles, mosaiculture and many other inventive themes!
Ephemeral gardens
If you visit the estate between April and November, you absolutely must experience the gardens created for the festival. Renewed every year, they will enchant you with their creativity. Whether you're an expert or just curious, you'll find plenty to marvel at! To the left of the château, a large part of the park is dedicated to these ephemeral plant installations.
In 2024, the theme chosen for these fabulous creations is "the garden as source of life". We can't wait to see what the landscapers have come up with! The estate organizes events to showcase these temporary gardens. Try to plan your visit during the night. Hundreds of lights illuminate the gardens, giving the park a dreamlike feel! Visit the official website for more information here.
Permanent gardens
Our visit didn't end there! We discovered the Prés du Goualoup created in 2012 under the direction of renowned landscape architect Louis Benech. An extension of the festival, these landscape installations are present all year round, changing color with the seasons. You'll be captivated by these 10 hectares of creations, each crazier than the last.
We were struck by the poetry that emanated from these perennial gardens, whose aesthetics are linked to great civilizations. Yu Kongjian's Carré et rond impressed us with its oriental geometry, while Leon Kluge's Sous le soleil africain charmed us with its warm hues. Jean Mus's Mediterranean garden also caught our eye. A real journey through landscapes and cultures!
A showcase for art and creation
Numerous artistic events
The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is a center for art and nature, and a showcase for contemporary art. You'll be amazed by its rich cultural and artistic program. Depending on the date of your visit, you can attend one of the temporary exhibitions on offer at the site, depending on the season.
In winter, for example, we organize photography exhibitions featuring well-known artists. The Galerie Digitale at the château also regularly renews the contemporary art it unveils with its annual Saison d'art. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to come along to Les Botanniques, the big plant festival organized by the company in September. An opportunity to discover and buy rare species for your garden! Click here to discover the estate's rich cultural program.
Contemporary art at the heart of the estate
Astonishing works of art inhabit the entire site. Each year, thanks to special commissions from the Centre-Val de Loire Region, the estate's collections are enriched by stunning outdoor and indoor creations. We've come across them in the most unusual places!
You'll be able to appreciate the perennial installations scattered around the historic park as well as within the buildings. You'll marvel at the poetic creations in the chapel and on the château's staircases. In the midst of the green expanses, other works litter the flowerbeds like flowers or reach for the sky like trees. Keep your eyes peeled!
Frequently asked questions
What tourist attractions are close to Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire?
Situated in the heart of the Loire region on the banks of the river, the estate is close to many tourist attractions and activities. We've listed a few for you:
- In front of the château, funny balloons dot the sky with color. Take to the skies in a hot-air balloon for a unique view of the Loire and its châteaux. Book this exceptional activity now!
- Visit the magnificent Château d'Amboise. You'll be swept away by its royal history! Read our article here to find out more.
- Why not discover the Loire through its nature, history and wines? Departing from Blois, let yourself be tempted by a one-day guided tour of the region!
What events are organized at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire?
The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire offers a rich cultural program! From April to November, it hosts the famous Festival International des Jardins, but that's not all. Other events are organized throughout the year. When the weather's fine, night-time events, treasure hunts, culinary tours and other activities are on offer. In winter, contemporary art exhibitions feature renowned artists. Throughout the year, you can also admire the site's art collections, special commissions from the Centre-Val de Loire Region and the Goualoup perennial gardens! More information on the estate's official website here.
How does the Festival International des Jardins de Chaumont-sur-Loire work?
Every year since 1992, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire has hosted the International Garden Festival. Landscapers from all over the world come to invent gardens based on the annual theme. The estate comes alive with creativity and color from April to November. This event has become a must for the landscape art world. Come and join us for this colourful event, and reserve your tickets now!
Who owns the Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle?
For a long time, the château belonged to the de Broglie family, but in 1938 the princess, partly ruined, sold it to the State. Acquired by the Centre-Val de Loire Region in 2007, the estate now belongs to the local authority.
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