Step into the Loire Valley’s unique and most creative open-ai event—the International Garden Festival, which is a celebration of nature and creativity coming together. Hosted every year at the Chaumont-sur-Loire, the festival transforms the castle into a living art gallery that welcomes global landscape designers and artists to showcase their bold ideas.
Each garden plot is a living artwork. Landscape artists, architects, and designers from around the world interpret the year’s theme in visually striking ways using plants, textures, colors, and unexpected materials.
No two editions are the same. With a different theme each spring, the festival keeps things fresh—offering new ideas, bold concepts, and cutting-edge garden trends that reflect current global concerns, from climate change to biodiversity.
Wander through dozens of imaginative displays that challenge traditional ideas of what a garden can be. Some are playful and interactive, others are poetic or provocative—but all are rooted in real horticultural technique.
Whether you’re an art lover, gardening enthusiast, or just looking for a unique day out, the festival blends creative expression with nature in a way that’s easy to enjoy, even without prior knowledge of plants or design.
The gardens sit within the estate of Chaumont-sur-Loire, a classic storybook castle with panoramic views of the Loire River, and contemporary art installations sprinkled across the grounds. It’s an ideal setting for a relaxed cultural outing.
Launched in 1992, the International Garden Festival was created to give landscape design the same stage as other major arts. It began as an initiative by the Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle to transform the estate into a living space for contemporary creation—blending history, nature, and innovation.
Held annually in the castle’s parkland, the festival quickly gained popularity, growing into one of Europe’s leading garden showcases.
Over the years, it has welcomed hundreds of designers from across the globe, and its success helped cement Chaumont’s identity as both a heritage site and a hub of ecological and creative exploration. Today, the festival is a spring-to-fall highlight in France’s cultural calendar—drawing curious visitors, professionals, and design enthusiasts alike.
Dates: April 25—November 3, 2025
Theme: Once Upon a Time, a Garden: Enchanted Garden, Enchanting Garden
2024: Garden, Source of Life
2023: Resilient Garden
2022: Ideal Garden
2021: Biomimicry in the Garden
2020: Gardens of the Earth, Return to Mother Earth
Dates: April 25—November 3, 2025
Timings: The opening hours match that of the castle. To know by season, check detailed timings here.
Tickets: Your castle entry ticket includes access to the garden festival; no need of separate tickets.
Getting here: You can either board a train or drive down from Paris. Cycling along the Loire à Vélo route is also a popular option. Choose from a selection of transport options here.
Yes! It’s one of Europe’s top garden events. Expect creative, thought-provoking garden designs that change each year.
Give yourself at least 2–3 hours to explore the gardens comfortably. More if you plan to visit the castle too.
Pets are allowed only in the park and garden areas, and must be kept on a leash. They're not allowed inside the castle.
Yes. There’s a garden-themed shop near the entrance that sells plants, seeds, books, and souvenirs.
Yes, the selected gardens stay up for the full season (April to November), though some may grow or evolve naturally over time.
The festival is directed by Chantal Colleu-Dumond, who also serves as the director of the Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle.
Presently we don’t have garden-only tickets. The entry ticket includes access to the castle.
There are no other editions elsewhere; the festival is unique to Chaumont Castle.
It’s a one-of-a-kind event exclusive to Chaumont-sur-Loire. There are no other editions elsewhere.
