What is a happy home without an equally happy garden to go with it? For many of us, our garden played a pivotal role in our childhood. It’s where our adventures took place, where our imagination was free to develop and where we learnt to value the great outdoors. Years on and gardens are no less important in our life, the only difference is that instead of falling out of trees, we are working out the best place to put a tomato plant.

 

In 1992, the gardens of chateau Chaumont sur Loire opened up for the first ever International Garden Festival and was such a success that the festival has taken place annually ever since. While the event makes a great day out, perhaps its most astonishing feat is its ability to bring out a green thumb in everyone, regardless of whether you already had a penchant for gardening or not. The festival takes place until the 5th of November this year, so you have plenty of time to check it out and we thoroughly recommend that you do. Not only is it a fun event for all the family, but the venue is utterly sublime.

 

loire valley gardens

 

Located on the banks of the River Loire, the chateau Chaumont sur Loire looks like it has been plucked right from the pages of a fairytale. Its white walls and moat are beautifully dated and the area surrounding the castle is a pure haven for anyone who appreciates a splash of natural beauty. During the festival, between 20 and 30 themed gardens are installed throughout the grounds and guests are free to wander through them at their leisure, admiring the unique design of each one and maybe even taking away some ideas for their own garden.

 

The theme for the 2017 festival this year is “Flower Power” so expect to see a lot of colour and creativity throughout the various gardens that have competed so hard to win a coveted spot within the chateau’s grounds. Thanks to the magnificence of the venue and the stellar quality of the festival’s exhibitors, the event has gained an international reputation with each year promising even better displays than the last.

 garden loire valley in france

 

Of course, the International Garden Festival is the main draw of Chaumont sur Loire, but if you have time between gawping at horticultural wonders then you should take the time to explore the chateau itself along with the rest of the grounds. Boasting some staggering 15th century architecture and numerous art installations, this building certainly deserves some of your time. On the more practical side of things, guests are welcome to use the designated picnic area on the lawn or they can grab a bite to eat nearby.

 

If you need help organizing your trip to the Loire Valley, you can rely on Emilie to help. If you have special interests or wishes, she will be happy to customize your trip accordingly. 

France Just For You

Experts in self-drive tours in France

Travelers Reviews

5.0
Steve
Emilie, set up an outstanding itinerary that met all our desired needs, created a wonderful schedule with built in flexibility to handle planned and unplanned changes. Her suggestion for special sites to see and foods to sample were right on and an enhancement from the normal tourist recommendations. The attention to detail was greatly appreciated …
Elizabeth
My husband and I just returned from two magnificent weeks in France that included four nights in Paris, four nights in the Loire Valley, two nights near Mont Saint Michel, three nights in Bayeux, near the WWII Landing Beaches and one night at a CDG airport hôtel. We stayed in charming B&Bs with equally charming hosts who recommended great places to …
Sharon & Bob
We couldn't recommend France Just For You highly enough. After visiting various parts of Europe on our own we were delighted to have someone else attend to all the details. Emilie was a joy to work with and couldn't have chosen better B&B's, tours and day trips to meet our needs. I can't wait to call upon her services again!
Shelley & Andy
We feel lucky that we found Emilie online! Usually, we like to plan our own trips, but we did not have the language capabilities or confidence to plan this vacation alone. Emilie to the rescue! She listened to our concerns and wishes and planned the perfect trip. Loved the small boutique hotel in the perfect part of Paris, and all the bed and …
Nicole
My husband and I used Emilie from France Just For You to plan a special trip for our anniversary. We loved the fact that our trip had structure, but at the same time, we had freedom to explore as we wished. We also loved the fact that the trip included guided tours, but we were not tied to a tour group as such. Emilie planned our trip according to …
Martha
Emilie did a fantastic job of planning our 13 day trip from Avignon to Bordeaux, with time spent in Provence, Cathar Country, Basque Country, and Bordeaux. Emilie is an excellent & responsive communicator. Emilie tailored our trip from reserving the rental car and the bed & breakfasts (wonderful places with wonderful hosts), setting up private …

What are you looking for?