The International Garden Festival is widely seen as a source of contemporary garden design inspiration. Many installations are experimental, but the principles behind them can be adapted for private gardens of different sizes. For the visiting overview, see the International Garden Festival visitor guide.
Design gardens as experiences
Festival gardens are designed to be entered and explored. In a home garden, you can apply this approach by creating routes, thresholds, and framed views rather than relying on a single viewpoint.
Use a clear theme
Strong themes help gardens feel intentional. A clear direction might be a shade garden, a single palette, or a wildlife-led planting plan.
Combine planting with structure
Lightweight structures such as screens, trellis, or simple pergolas can give planting a framework and improve scale, especially in small gardens.
Plan for seasonal change
Designing for the full season means using plants with structural presence beyond summer, including seed heads, winter silhouettes, and late-season texture.
For garden inspiration grounded in horticultural practice, the Royal Horticultural Society publishes practical guidance on planting and garden design.
See the ideas on site
To connect these principles to what you will see at Chaumont-sur-Loire, start with the best gardens to see. If you want background on the festival’s evolution, see the festival history.
Frequently asked questions
Are Chaumont-style design ideas suitable for small gardens?
Yes. Clear themes, layered planting, and simple structures can work especially well in compact spaces.
Do these ideas require specialist maintenance?
Not necessarily. Many concepts focus on seasonal change and natural growth, which can reduce long-term maintenance demands.
Can these ideas be adapted outside France?
Yes. Plant choices vary by climate, but the underlying design principles can be applied in many regions.