Château de Chaumont
Chaumont-sur-Loire watches the river from a bluff between Blois and Amboise, a turreted fifteenth-century castle with a famous grudge in its deed history: after Henri II died in 1559, Catherine de’ Medici forced his mistress Diane de Poitiers to hand over Chenonceau and take Chaumont in exchange, a plain downgrade Diane barely used.
The short version
- Chaumont-sur-Loire sits on a bluff between Blois and Amboise, the château Catherine de’ Medici handed to Diane de Poitiers in exchange for Chenonceau.
- The International Garden Festival runs April 22 to November 1, 2026, on the theme “The Garden Goes to the Movies.”
- Chaumont is not on any of our tours. Our 2-Night Loire Valley Tour is based in Amboise, one train stop away, and its free final morning fits a visit if you take a later train back to Paris.
- Admission is €21 for the whole estate, €13 reduced and €6 for children 6 to 11; under-6s enter free.
- The estate opens every day except January 1 and December 25, 10:00 to 19:00 from April to October. Onzain station is 2 km away, with a shuttle from April 4 to November 1.
The Garden Festival
Chaumont’s modern fame is the International Garden Festival, held on the grounds every year from spring to early November: two dozen competition gardens built to a new theme each season, the leading event of its kind in Europe. The festival, the château, the stables, and the art installations in the park make Chaumont a full-day estate rather than a quick castle stop.
Visiting
The estate opens year-round, with festival season, roughly late April to early November, the time to come; hours, prices, and the current theme are at domaine-chaumont.fr. The climb from the village to the gate is short and steep, and the view down the Loire from the terraces is among the valley’s best.
Chaumont sits midway between Blois and Amboise on the river road; the top ten castles page places it in a valley itinerary.
Planning the day
Chaumont is a full day in festival season, April 22 to November 1 in 2026, and the ticket office closes an hour before the estate does, so arrive by early afternoon at the latest. The two-day ticket, €36, covers a return the next morning for anyone staying nearby. The cafés in the park serve from 11:00 to 18:00, and the restaurant Le Grand Velum serves lunch until the end of September.
Without a car, take the train to Onzain–Chaumont-sur-Loire, about 25 minutes from Saint-Pierre-des-Corps and 1 hour 40 from Paris Austerlitz, then the Azalys château shuttle, which runs from April 4 to November 1; on foot it is 2 km across the bridge.
From Amboise, where our 2-Night Loire tour is based, Onzain is one stop down the line, and the festival fits the tour’s free third morning if you take a later train back to Paris.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chaumont garden festival?
The International Garden Festival, staged annually on the estate from spring to early November: around two dozen themed competition gardens by designers from around the world, Europe’s leading event of its kind.
Why did Diane de Poitiers own Chaumont?
She had no choice: after Henri II’s death in 1559, Catherine de’ Medici forced her to trade Chenonceau for Chaumont. Diane kept her distance and lived mostly at Anet.
When should you visit Chaumont?
During festival season, late April to early November, when the gardens, the château, and the park installations run together. Allow at least a half day.
