Since 1992, the International Garden Festival has made Chaumont a hub for cutting-edge landscape art. Each year, designers from around the world create bold, experimental gardens across the estate.
Since 1992, the International Garden Festival has made Chaumont a hub for cutting-edge landscape art. Each year, designers from around the world create bold, experimental gardens across the estate.
This 15th-century château was once home to Diane de Poitiers, who was exiled here by Catherine de Medici in a power play after Henry II’s death—making it a key stop in France’s royal saga.
From sculpture trails to photography shows, contemporary art installations dot the park, stables, and château rooms—creating a museum without walls that evolves with the seasons.
Set high above the river, the estate offers panoramic views of the Loire Valley—especially striking at golden hour or from the belvédère paths.
From June to September, the gardens glow after dusk with soft lighting, floral scents, and ambient sounds—an immersive, multisensory evening experience.
Recommended experiences:
Recommended experiences:
Whether you’re chasing fairytale castles or cruising vineyard roads, here’s how to get around the Loire Valley by car, train, bus, or tour—each with its pros, routes, and tips.
Best for: Flexible explorers, families, and road-trippers keen to reach remote châteaux and villages.
Timings & availability: You drive on your schedule. Available daily in cities like Orléans, Tours, Blois, and at airports. Book ahead during peak season.
Where to start/stop: Pick-up/drop-off at train stations, airports, or city centers. Parking is widely available at châteaux.
🔁 Pro tip: Combine car rental with a stay in a château hotel or vineyard B&B for the full countryside escape.
Best for: Eco-conscious travelers, solo explorers, and those visiting popular towns or castles with nearby stations.
Frequency & timings:
Nearest stops: Stations in Orléans, Blois, Tours (St-Pierre-des-Corps and Tours Centre), Saumur, Angers, and Nantes.
🚲 Bonus: Traveling with a bike? "Train Vélo Loire" lets you ride the scenic Loire à Vélo trail with train support in summer.
Best for: Budget travelers and those filling gaps between train stops and remote châteaux.
Frequency & timings: Limited regional bus service between towns; often only a few trips per day. For example: SNCF bus from Port Boulet to Tours runs 5x a week, ~every 4 hours. Seasonal shuttles connect some châteaux to nearby train stations during summer.
Nearest stops: Stops in town centers, train stations, or near château entrances—check local timetables.
📍 Tip: Use Rome2Rio or local transport apps for updated schedules and connections.
Best for: First-timers, limited-time visitors, and anyone who wants a stress-free, informative experience without driving or planning.
Frequency & timings: Daily departures from Paris, Tours, Amboise - morning departures, returning late afternoon/evening. Options include half-day, full-day, and multi-day itineraries.
Nearest stops: Pick-up points at train stations, central hotels, or designated spots in major towns.
🌟 Bonus: No need to worry about driving, parking, or navigating rural roads—just sit back and soak in the stories.
An annual festival that welcomes global landscape artists and designers to transform the castle’s gardens into a living canvas of creativity. Visitors learn new concepts of horticulture and gardening, in addition to enjoying a unique sensory experience.
Explore contemporary art installations and multimedia exhibits which transform the castle grounds into an open-air museum. The centre celebrates the fusion of nature and creativity, providing an immersive experience for visitors.
Adorned with 15th and 19th-century armour and weapons, including Ottoman pieces gifted by the Maharaja of Kapurthala, the guard room served several purposes over the years. It was a security entrance, a space for weaponry training, and a vantage point overlooking the drawbridge and inner courtyard.
Named after the queen who bought the castle in 1550 for profit, this space may have served as a state room, dining room, bathroom, or reception area. It features the castle’s oldest tapestry, The Story of Perseus and Pegasus, woven in Tournai in the late 15th century.
Renowned for its Planets and Days tapestry and Sicilian majolica floor tiles, this was the official state room, used for important events such as audiences, judgements, and feasts. Fully furnished today, it reflects the grandeur of the 16th century.
Home of the Broglie family who owned the castle between 1875–1938, it was historically remodelled in 2007, leading to the rehabilitation of the Great Salon, Library and Dining Room—making it one of the Loire Valley’s most richly furnished castles.
A small, hexagonal chapel featuring stained glass windows, contemporary art installations, and the council chamber with Sicilian majolica floor tiles.
Horses were of prime importance in the 19th century, used for hunting. Two stables were built—a larger one was for the family and a smaller one for guests.
Address: Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, 41150 Chaumont-sur-Loire, France. Find on Maps
From Paris
A free car park is available at the castle’s south entrance, in the village, and along the Loire River. Access from the car park to the castle is a climb up the hill.
Local transport
If you enjoyed the gardens at Chaumont, you’ll want to make the short drive to Villandry, only 13 km away. They are known for being more structured and geometrical, especially the ornamental and vegetable gardens.
Just 16 km away, Ussé feels like a fairy-tale castle has come alive. Said to have inspired Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty, this castle has a traditional architectural design with
towers and turrets.
Chenonceau, known at the Ladies’ Castle, is a mere 27 km from Chaumont and has a similar riverside views and quietness to it. While one overlooks the Loire River, the other sits across it, reflecting its garden arches.
If you’re planning a visit during the months of the International Garden Festival (Aoril to November), it is recommended to book your tickets at least one month in advance.
Yes, for an additional cost of €4, you can buy an audio guide to understand the history and art installations better.
Yes, private guided tours are available daily at 11am and 3pm in English and French.
Yes, Chaumont-sur-Loire castle in open daily, throughout the year. Visiting outside of the garden festival means fewer crowds and no sightings of the seasonal blooms.
Yes, it is one-of-its-kind and is the biggest attractor of the castle. It welcomes global designers and artists to change the landscape scenery—30 gardens are created based on an annual theme.
Yes, children enjoy the castle as much as adults. There are multiple kid-friendly activities—an annual art exhibition and a free kids' booklet filled with information about the castle—to keep your little one engaged and appreciative of their surroundings.
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
