Standing on the banks of the Loire River, the dramatic and imposing Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, built in the late 15th century, embodies both the architectural splendor of the Loire Valley and the region's cultural revival. This historic site has embraced a modern identity, blending the past with the present. For over 30 years, the Domaine de Chaumont has hosted the International Garden Festival, a delightful and inspiring event featuring landscape designers from around the globe. Additionally, for the past fifteen years, the château and its gardens have welcomed artists for the Season of Art. More and more visitors are drawn to this vibrant celebration of creativity at Chaumont-sur-Loire!
Domaine de Chaumont: An open-air Art gallery
This French Renaissance jewel, a fifteenth-century Unesco World Heritage site, has evolved into a must-visit spot for contemporary art lovers. Once owned by Queen Catherine de' Medici, who used it as a hunting residence and a stopover between the châteaux of Amboise and Blois, and later by her rival Diane de Poitiers, it was finally handed over to the Centre-Val de Loire Region by the de Broglie family in 2008.
Its enchanting charm and rich history are certainly part of its appeal, but its revival on the French cultural scene can be credited to Chantal Colleu-Dumond, its dynamic director and the granddaughter of a gardener. This innovative curator has redefined Chaumont-sur-Loire as a "château of art." Her vision: to reinvent the château, its park, barns, and stables by giving artists carte blanche to express their unique interpretations of nature and life.
"Artists teach us to see things differently. Some artworks are placed within nature, inviting us to contemplate and immerse ourselves in the landscapes. Each piece poetically invites us to view our environment through a new perspective."
The 2024 edition of the Season of Arts at Châtau de Chaumont draws inspiration from the enchanting gardens of Bomarzo Castle in Italy, featuring fantastical creatures, whimsical follies, and mythological figures that seemingly emerge from the groves of the Historic Park.
A standout installation is Miquel Barceló's monumental "La Grotte Chaumont," a nearly 8-ton masterpiece shaped like a monstrous mouth or cave... who knows? Nearby, Prune Nourry's towering anthropomorphic figures crafted from rope command attention, transforming into tree-like sculptures. Inside the castle, visitors are immersed in the landscapes of Vincent Bioulès, offering subtle yet profound reflections. The journey culminates with Pascale Marthine Tayou's suspended chandeliers in the Grange des Abeilles, symbolizing a fusion of nature and humanity's discarded materials.
These artworks delicately harmonize with Chaumont Castle's elegance and refinement, enriching its gardens, panoramic views of the royal river, and the architectural prowess of its historical builders.
Green culture at the Château de Chaumont
In the vibrant springtime, Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle hosts the prestigious International Garden Festival, where thirty landscape artists from across the globe are invited by the Domaine to weave their creative visions around a thematic narrative. These visionary gardeners continuously redefine the boundaries of landscape art, enchanting an ever-growing audience of enthusiasts. Families are warmly embraced in this verdant haven, where imagination reigns supreme.
From Finland to India, China to Korea, Britain to New Zealand, the festival's allure lies not only in its diverse international participants but also in the eclectic themes explored each year: "Gardens of the Deadly Sin," "Chaos and Order in the Garden," "Gardens of Sensations," and "Resilient Garden," among others. The upcoming 2024 edition celebrates "The life-source Garden," honoring nature's nurturing, healing, calming, and revitalizing powers.
This creative challenge is embraced by avant-garde gardeners who reimagine landscape art each year. In 2023, James Basson made waves with his "dry garden," replacing traditional lawns with 50 water-saving plants. As water scarcity and climate urgency shape our world, these innovative solutions become increasingly vital.
Chantal Colleu-Dumond, the Domaine de Chaumont's director, preserves the legacy of the château's former owners in her unique style. The Prince and Princess of Broglie, passionate gardeners, commissioned the famous landscape architect Henri Duchêne in the late 19th century to create greenhouses, an orangery, and a vast winter garden for their botanical treasures.
Today, these traditions thrive, making the Internation Garden Festival a pinnacle of green culture in France—a true testament to artistry and lifestyle harmonized with nature's wonders.
Château, Gardens, and Art of Chaumont-sur-Loire
The list of events that punctuate the year at Domaine de Chaumont is endless. It's a hallmark of this castle, whose management, far from resting on its laurels, constantly enriches the visitor experience. From Chaumont-Photo-sur-Loire and the Botaniques de Chaumont-sur-Loire to Domaine workshops, Conversations under the tree, Winter Decorations, and of course, the renowned International Garden Festival and Season of Arts—there's always something captivating happening within the castle walls or in the Historic Park.
The Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire and its gardens live, move, expand, and diversify. In 2012, the Prés du Goualoup was added to the Historic Park, adding 10 hectares entrusted to landscape designer Louis Benech. These new gardens are dedicated to Chinese, Japanese, and English landscape art. In 2024, it will be South Africa's turn to have a garden dedicated to its flora.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the International Garden Festival in 2022, Domaine de Chaumont unveiled "its" hotel: Le Bois des Chambres (39 rooms). Nestled within the renovated Ferme Queneau and two new buildings, architects Patrick Bouchain and Loïc Julienne have created a retreat that seamlessly integrates art and nature, with intimate alcoves, spacious "perched" suites, and cabins accessed through... the garden, of course!
Adding to the allure is the stunning thatched-roof building housing Le Grand Chaume restaurant. Helmed by Chef Guillaume Foucault, who holds a Michelin star from his previous establishment in Vendôme, the restaurant promises to elevate the gastronomic scene in the Loire Valley with its wholesome and gourmet cuisine. As Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire continues to redefine the cultural experience, all senses are invited to immerse themselves in its 360-degree experience.
The "Château life" with Hiddenist
Embark on our Chef’s Escapes gourmet trips, curated by Michelin-starred Chef Christophe Hay, offering you the flexibility to visit Domaine and Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire at your convenience. Indulge in gourmet experiences and extraordinary cultural discoveries during your weekend getaway or extended stay. Immerse yourself exclusively in the enchanting Loire Valley's Châteaux region, meticulously crafted by our celebrated chef based in Blois.
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