Festival International des Jardins de Chaumont-sur-Loire
Every year from April to November, landscape designers from around the globe transform the grounds of the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire into 30-plus experimental garden plots that push the boundaries of what a garden can be. It is one of the most imaginative outdoor art events in Europe, and no two seasons are ever the same.
A New Garden Universe Each Season
Each edition of the festival is built around a fresh theme — past years have explored notions of paradise, metamorphosis and the senses — and the resulting plots range from sensory labyrinths of scented herbs to architectural installations woven through with living plants.
Wander the numbered garden parcels at your own pace; most visitors spend two to three hours exploring, though garden obsessives easily linger for a full afternoon. The route winds through woodland clearings and open meadows, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer for the shade.
Beyond the Festival Gardens
The Domaine also holds the magnificent Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, a 15th-to-16th-century castle that once hosted Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers. The interior rooms, including the stables converted into a contemporary art gallery, are included in the general admission ticket.
The estate's permanent collection of land art and sculpture is scattered through the broader park, making a post-garden stroll along the bluff above the Loire genuinely rewarding even outside festival season.
Festival International des Jardins de Chaumont-sur-Loire on video
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