Chaumont – Chateau Exterior, International Gardens Show, Stables and Sculptures on exhibit

There are hundreds of Chateau of all shapes and sizes throughout France but some of the most stunningly spectacular are in the Val de Loire. We have been to the Loire previously and have visited Chateau like Chenonceau and Blois. But on this visit we are focussed on some new to us Chateaux, Clos Luce – Leonardo Da Vinci’s final house, Ambois, Valencay, Chambord and first off Chateau Chaumont.

Our base for visiting the Loire Valley was a lovely AirBNB cottage in Selles sur Cher, overlooking the Cher river and the old bridge, about a 45 min drive to Chateau Chaumont.

Tickets to a Chateau – as a tip, buying your tickets at a nearby Office de Tourism,(OdT) may save you both time and money. It avoids queues at the Chateau ticket offices and often discounts are available at the OdT.

Chateau Chaumont-sur-Loire really requires a “ day visit”, there is so much to see that is well worth seeing, that one needs to invest a full days time to get the most out of the overall experience.

As one enters the Chateau grounds you walk round the stable block area and get a first sight of Chaumont and stop and stare! Actually you stop, stare and step to one side to allow other visitors to pass. But the beauty of the tuffeau stone and slate roof lines are simply captivating.

Exteriors

Loire River from Servants Quarters

International Gardens Exhibition

The estate of Chaumont is extensive and the south east quadrant has a fantastic exhibition of gardens on display all to the theme of “ paradise”. All exhibits on display were intriguing, some exceeded their descriptions, and few did not. Overall the exhibition is fabulous, see for yourself from these few photographs.

Stables, Sculptures and the Grounds

The Stables, which you first view when entering Chaumont are a later 19th century build than the Chateau itself, which being constructed in the 15th century and onwards. They are beautifully constructed and maintained and must be visited.

The Stables and adjacent buildings are also being used to display some superb sculptures, and even a few carriages just to demonstrate their original 19thc purpose!

The Chateau Grounds are extensive and wonderful to wander around with your map of the sculptures to be visited, although it’s a bit of a challenge to work out which sculpture fits the number on the map. Maybe that’s all part of the fun!!

Entrance to Stables
Andy Goldsworthy sculpture
Sculpture but also a comfortable shady seat
Amazing what you can create from packing cases!

Chateau Interior

You do not visit Chaumont for its interior. It is interesting and the tour route takes you up into the servants quarters and if nothing else the views from there are excellent. I took a fancy to this amazing tuffeau fireplace and a couple of the carvings in particular.

Repaired by a Japanese technique – gold and resin
Chapel Sculpture Display
Inner workings of the portcullis

Refreshments at Chaumont

When visiting Chaumont many visitors bring their own refreshments, and why not, lots places for picnics, excellent toilet facilities too. We decided to buy lunch, options from sandwiches to white table cloth dining and a Mediterranean Pasta lunch for €18 each, we opted for. Fantastic, choice of 5 Pastas, freshly cooked, and you could eat as much as you wanted – seconds too! Fresh salads, cucumber soup, fresh fruit salad, fresh fruit, ice creams, tea and coffee. Wine and beer available at an extra charged and then dining in the Chateau garden, just excellent.

Overall we had a wonderful day at Chaumont, which we will remember for many years to come. If you have time when in the Val de Loire, do seriously consider a visit, you will not be disappointed.