Explore Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle in the Loire Valley

Overview

The ancient château, originally built at the end of the 10th century, became notorious in the 16th century when it was acquired by Catherine de Medicis, widow of King Henri II in 1560. In a typical act of revenge against Henri’s favorite mistress and her arch-rival, Diane de Poitiers, the owner, she forced Diane to give her Chenonceau, which Catherine and Diane greatly preferred, in exchange for Chaumont.

However, don’t be put off by the story; Chaumont is lovely. It’s a gracious, white stone building looking out over the Loire Valley. Powerful and still looking like a fortress on the west side, it boasts more Renaissance features on the other two fronts. Look out for the entwined ‘D’ of Diane de Poitiers, surrounded by bows and quivers, hunting horns, deltas, and crescents of the moon representing Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting.

The château had a pretty glorious existence, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries under the then owner, Le Ray de Chaumont. He transformed the site into a social and intellectual hub, attracting prominent figures such as the 18th-century Italian sculptor Nini, who crafted beautiful terracotta medallions in the library, the writer Germaine de Stael, and Benjamin Franklin.

Moreover, the Prince and Princess de Broglie added to the property by constructing magnificent stables in 1877, equipped with modern amenities including electricity installed in 1906. They also hired landscape architect Henri Duchene, who created the rolling park that you can enjoy today. The Prince brought prestige, while the Princess, the daughter of a sugar baron, contributed the funds.

Visit Highlights

Today, visitors can explore the bedrooms of the two great rivals, Catherine de Medicis and Diane de Poitiers, as well as the grand salle du Conseil with its exquisite Spanish tiled floor. Do not miss the room of Ruggieri, where Catherine consulted the stars with her astrologer—a place where, according to legend, she envisioned the destinies of her three sons: Francis II, Charles IX, and Henri III, and the rise of the Bourbon family.

Subsequently, it’s quite a relief to descend into the restored kitchens that served the massive household and to step outside to the stables.

The Park Experience

The park encircling the château is expansive, offering stunning views of the River Loire. It contains various large-scale sculptures, including a striking wooden walkway that provides a panoramic perspective of the river.

A new 10-hectare garden has enhanced the Domaine’s historic gardens. Named Prés du Goualoup, the first garden, Ermitage sur la Loire, was designed by Chinese architect and garden specialist Che Bing Chiu. This garden is crafted in the spirit of a traditional Chinese garden and is intended to evolve over the years with the addition of pavilions, trees, and stones, immersing visitors in the meditative world of Chinese scholars. This long-term project will take many years to fully realize.

The Annual Garden Festival

This renowned annual festival spans from April to October. If you have an interest in gardens or garden design, be sure to visit. Consequently, a trip to Chaumont, alongside a tour of the castle and the other gardens, makes for a perfect day out.

Dining Options

Within the grounds, there are several dining establishments. The grandest, Le Grand Velum, is situated in a greenhouse-like structure. It features three set menus offering inventive and beautifully presented dishes crafted from seasonal ingredients. You shouldn’t overlook the desserts, including an all-chocolate cone on a biscuit base with cherry sauce, panna cotta, and sorbet.

Le Comptoir Mediterranee (Mediterranean Bistro) serves freshly prepared dishes such as pasta and homemade sauces.

L’Estaminet offers light snacks like sandwiches and cakes, as well as homemade sorbets.

Le Café du Parc is conveniently located near the château and provides more light snacks.

Practical Details

Tel.: 00 33 (0)2 54 20 99 22

Open:
Château and Grounds daily from 10am to 6pm.

For current admission prices, check online.

Getting to Chaumont-sur-Loire

Chaumont-sur-Loire is located between Blois and Tours, about 115 miles southwest of Paris.
By car: Take autoroute A10 and A86, exiting at Blois (junction 17) or Amboise (exit 18), and follow the signs to Chaumont on the D952.
By train: Daily services run from Paris Gare d’Austerlitz on the Orleans – Tour line. Disembark at Onzain and take a taxi from there.