Should You Visit Chamount-sur-Loire Castle? Definitely.

Quick Information

ADDRESS

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, 41150 Chaumont-sur-Loire, France

RECOMMENDED DURATION

3 hours

VISITORS PER YEAR

499999

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

UNESCO YEAR

2000

Plan your visit

Why visit?

1/3

It’s where art meets nature

Unlike other Loire castles, Chaumont-sur-Loire doubles as an open-air museum. Its renowned International Garden Festival and rotating contemporary art exhibitions transform the estate into a living dialogue between landscape design and visual expression.

A home once owned by Catherine de’ Medici

Chaumont holds a curious royal twist—Catherine de’ Medici once hosted astrologers here, including Nostradamus. The castle later passed to her rival, Diane de Poitiers, giving it a layered legacy of politics, power, and personal drama.

An evolving garden experience year-round

Beyond its formal gardens, Chaumont’s parkland features experimental plots and modern landscape installations. Each season brings new surprises, making it one of the few castles where repeat visits always offer something different to see.

What to see

The International Garden Festival

Held annually, this world-renowned event transforms the castle’s grounds into an open-air museum of cutting-edge garden design. From innovative landscapes to unique plant sculptures, the festival welcomes global designers and artists who blend art and nature, creating a stunning exhibition that changes each year.

Contemporary art installations

Throughout the castle’s rooms and grounds, you’ll encounter contemporary art installations that’ll make you stop and think. This is one of the few castles in the Loire Valley to regularly host contemporary art, making it a place where history, modernity, and nature collide.

The model farm

Originally built by Prince de Broglie in the 19th century, the model farm was designed to showcase modern agricultural practices. Today, it remains a working estate with stables, barns, and workshops, offering a glimpse into rural innovation of the time. Unlike the castle’s royal interiors, the farm reflects its functional past.

The stables and grounds

Explore the castle’s historic stables and model farm, which were integral to its role as a royal hunting lodge. The farm focuses on agricultural innovation and highlights the castle’s historical connection to both the arts and nature. Learn about the farming practices of the era, and discover how these spaces supported the castle’s royal life.

Highlights: Keep a lookout for

International Garden Festival

Held annually from April to November, this renowned event showcases innovative garden designs by artists and landscape architects worldwide.

History

The Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle was established in the 10th century by Odo I, Count of Blois, as a strategic fortress to defend his lands against rival factions, notably the Counts of Anjou.

Fast-forward to 1550, when Catherine de' Medici purchased the castle. After the death of her husband, King Henry II, in 1559, she compelled his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, to exchange the Chenonceau Castle for Chaumont. Diane de Poitiers resided at Chaumont only briefly before retiring to her estate at Anet.

The final private owner was Marie Say, heiress to a sugar fortune, who acquired the castle in 1875. She and her husband, Prince Henri-Amédée de Broglie, commissioned significant restorations and added luxurious stables. In 1938, Marie Say donated the estate to the French government.

Today, the castle is renowned for hosting the annual International Garden Festival, which showcases global innovative garden designs.

Architecture

Originally constructed in the 10th century, the castle was rebuilt in the late 15th century by Charles I d'Amboise after its destruction in 1465. The design retained defensive features such as round towers with conical roofs, a dry moat, and machicolations, reflecting its origins as a fortress.

Between 1498 and 1511, Charles II d'Amboise and Cardinal Georges d'Amboise introduced Renaissance elements to the structure. These included ornate stone carvings, large mullioned windows, and a grand spiral staircase, blending Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Notable features include:

Grand spiral staircase: A centerpiece of the castle, this staircase exemplifies the transition from medieval to Renaissance architecture, featuring intricate carvings and heraldic stained-glass windows.
Chapel: The hexagonal chapel boasts vivid stained-glass windows and serves as a testament to the castle’s historical and artistic significance.
Council chamber: Adorned with 16th-century Flemish tapestries and a 17th-century majolica-tiled floor from Palermo, this room reflects the opulence of the castle’s past residents.

Frequently asked questions about Chaumont Castle

Chaumont-sur-Loire stands out for its unique blend of medieval fortress design and Renaissance elegance, with round towers, a dry moat, and ornate stonework, making it a fascinating architectural mix.