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

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Miller Family
Our family of 5 adults spent 17 days touring France on a trip built around the Women's World Cup Semi-finals and Final in Lyon. France Just For You did a marvelous job setting up beautiful, well managed B&B's in 5 different regions as we explored both the history and gastronomy of France. Guided tours from personable and informative guides during …
John
My wife and I recently engaged Emilie, of France Just For You, to plan a two week trip to Provence in the first two weeks of May. It was mid-March and we found Emilie during a web search of self-driving tours of France. What a find! Emilie responded within twenty-four hours with very specific questions, wanting to know more about us, our interests …
Bob
France just for you was fantastic. We provided a list of places we like to see, they customized our trips with great suggestions. They Provided Car, places to stay, a 2 book itinerary with wonderful suggestions, great Bed and Breakfast and small hotel (very romantic) , assistance when ever we accidentally called their number. We requested guides at …
Peter
France-Just for You is the best agency/coordinator we have EVER used. We have traveled around the world to more than 50 countries and this was by far the best job of coordination we ever experienced. The owner, Emilie, lives in France and is 100% accessible by email or phone. We emailed her the first time we learned about her business and from then …
Cynthia
On my second trip with France Just For You (FJFY) this October I drove through Normandy and Brittaney. It was a wonderful trip and FJFY is an amazing travel agency. Their customized and detailed guidebook covers everything you need to know about visiting France from practical information about traffic signs to insights about the French people and …
Lisa & Don from the US
The Perfect Trip Through France With France Just For You Emilie interviewed us and designed a perfect trip from Paris through the Loire Valley and Normandy, back to Paris, to celebrate my husband's 70th birthday. Every detail was perfect and it was easy to get around. The places she selected for us to stay were simply lovely with wonderful hosts …