Complete visitor guide to the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire, including what to see, when to go, and tips.
The International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire is a major annual event for contemporary garden design in France’s Loire Valley. Each edition presents temporary themed gardens created by international teams, alongside longer-term gardens and cultural exhibitions across the estate.
If you are planning your visit, check practical details first: tickets and opening hours, how to get to Chaumont-sur-Loire, and the best time to visit.
What the festival is
The festival is theme-led. Designers interpret a yearly theme through gardens that may be ecological, conceptual, playful, or sensory. The emphasis is on experiencing spaces from within: routes, thresholds, planting density, and material choices are part of the design.
What you can see
- Temporary themed gardens created for the current edition
- Permanent and long-term gardens across the grounds
- Art and cultural installations integrated into landscape settings
- Seasonal planting that evolves from spring through autumn
To understand how the experience differs from more traditional Loire gardens, see Chaumont-sur-Loire vs other Loire Valley gardens.
How long to allow
Many visitors plan at least half a day for the festival route. If you want time for gardens, exhibitions, and a slower pace, a full day is often more comfortable.
For ideas on combining the festival with nearby sites, see day trips from Chaumont-sur-Loire and where to stay nearby.
Loire Valley
The festival takes place within the Loire Valley cultural landscape, recognised for its long history of interaction between people, land, and design. Background information is available via UNESCO.
Frequently asked questions
Is the International Garden Festival suitable for children?
Yes. Many gardens are visually engaging, and some installations are interactive, making the visit suitable for families.
Do the gardens change during the season?
Yes. Plant growth and seasonal flowering mean the gardens evolve from spring through autumn, so the experience can look different over time.
Is the festival accessible?
Large parts of the grounds are accessible, but some routes include uneven surfaces and gentle slopes due to the historic landscape setting.