By Jessica Pierné.
Located in the heart of the Loire Valley and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chaumont-sur-Loire is best known for its castle overlooking the river and the village. From the Loire, the fortress takes on the appearance of a Renaissance castle, foreshadowing the monumental constructions that would mark the reign of Francis I.erToday, the estate is known worldwide thanks to the international garden festival.
From Catherine de Medici, Queen of France, to Diane de Poitiers
In 1550, Catherine de Medici acquired the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire and left a lasting mark on it. Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, the residence became a strategic location for the queen: a prized hunting lodge, but also an essential stopover between the royal residences of Amboise and Blois. As one explores the rooms of the château, personal stories intertwine with historical events. The walls of Chaumont bear witness to the intrigues and rivalries that shaped the French court. Thus, upon the death of King Henry II, Catherine de Medici orchestrated one of her signature power plays. She ceded Chaumont to Diane de PoitiersThe late king's favorite, forcing her rival to return the prestigious Château de Chenonceau to the Crown. An episode revealing Catherine de Medici's political skill, and the unique place that Chaumont-sur-Loire occupies in French monarchical history.
Chaumont-sur-Loire, the world laboratory of contemporary gardening
In the space of 20 years, the International Garden Festival It has established itself as a benchmark in the landscape of contemporary landscape design. A veritable open-air laboratory, it attracts designers from all over the world—architects, landscape architects, and artists—united by a shared ambition: to reinvent the garden. Every late winter, teams take turns with almost choreographic precision to break ground, a prelude to ephemeral installations that will create a dialogue between nature, art, and innovation throughout the season.
The stables courtyard at the heart of history
During the second half of the 19th century, the cheval The stable remained at the heart of the aristocratic world: indispensable for fox hunts, the primary means of traction, and, above all, an outward sign of wealth and rank. In 1877, the princely couple entrusted the architect Paul-Ernest Sanson with the design of sumptuous stables, intended to be among the most advanced in Europe. Sanson incorporated an original sculptural motif: a frieze alternating the double " VS " Charles II of Chaumont and the burning mountain, reinscribed on the facades as a link between the past and restoration. From the main courtyard, one accesses the kitchen and the tack room, a vast room with impressive dimensions. Panelled on three sides, it concentrates the daily life of the stables. In winter, the men work there around the harnesses, which, after each outing, undergo an unchanging ritual: meticulous dismantling, washing, drying, greasing, then reassembling, a guarantee of longevity and safety. The room also serves as a kitchen, where the mashThis hot ration, made from cooked grains, was intended to strengthen the horses. Suspended beneath the vault, two arc lamps catch the eye. Originally from the hall, they are identical to those that illuminated the Opéra Garnier and the Paris City Hall. One detail that reveals the modernity of the place: as early as 1898, the stables already benefited from electric lighting, a rare feat for the time.
One of the finest saddleries in France
Untouched since the late 19th century, this timeless room houses an impressive collection of harnesses, steels, and whips. A collection of rare richness, now considered one of the finest saddleries in France. The saddlery and harness items kept there bear the signature of the most prestigious houses. then active: Hermès, Clément, Adler or, Adam Suspended all around the room, the equipment reflects a traditional method of storage. An authentic setting, where the elegance of craftsmanship engages with the memory of the horse.
Disney wanted to shoot Beauty and the Beast in Chaumont-sur-Loire
The Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire holds a story worthy of the most beautiful Hollywood fairy tales. Approached by the prestigious Disney studio, the estate captured the hearts of the American producers who were considering filming part of the movie there. Beauty and the Beast, with Emma WatsonCharmed by the location, the team dreamed of filming one of the scenes for a now-classic movie there. The problem: the estate couldn't accommodate the entire film crew. Without this purely logistical obstacle, the film would have been shot in Chaumont-sur-Loire, Disney's first choice. Beauty and the Beast.
A gourmet restaurant at the foot of the castle
Appointed in July 2024 to succeed Guillaume Foucault, the chef Victor Villate was given a clear mission: to breathe new life into the Domaine's restaurant, The Great Thatchand attract a younger clientele seeking sensitive and contemporary culinary experiences. Deeply inspired by his immediate surroundings, the chef champions a plant-based and instinctive cuisine, where herbs take center stage and where color interacts with the freshness and vibrancy of flavors. Committed to the spirit of teamwork, Victor Villate also emphasizes collaborative effort, cultivating a team dynamic based on emulation and knowledge sharing. A warm atmosphere that guests perceive upon arrival and which fully contributes to the experience. Another unique feature: in December, the chef drew inspiration from the paintings exhibited at the château to prepare his dishes…
TRAVEL DIARY:
GO THERE:
The Domaine Régional de Chaumont-sur-Loire is located in the heart of the Centre-Val de Loire region, in Loir-et-Cher, on the left bank of the Loire between the towns of Blois and Amboise, a 2-hour drive from Paris.
https://domaine-chaumont.fr/fr
WHERE TO SLEEP ?
The Bois des Chambres is a 10-minute walk from the castle. Access is via two large, renovated barns: one houses the reception, the other serves as an exhibition hall. Further on, a row of small, two-story houses, with a distinctly Scandinavian aesthetic, contains 34 rooms with a simple, modern, and functional design. Special mention goes to the "garden rooms," where the bed is set apart in a cabin on stilts nestled in the heart of the vegetation. An immersive and unique experience, best enjoyed in good weather, unless you want to find yourself wading through wet grass to get to bed.
https://leboisdeschambres.fr/hotel-darts-et-de-nature/un-hotel-darts-de-gastronomie-et-de-culture
