• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Travel Notes & Beyond logo

The Opinionated Travelogue of a Photo Maniac

  • Home
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • North America
    • South America
    • Pacific Islands
  • FOOD & WINE
  • TRAVEL GUIDES
  • TRAVEL RESOURCES
  • OTHER TOPICS
    • Rants & Raves
    • Reviews
    • Travel Blogger Interviews
  • ABOUT
    • Contact Form
    • Privacy Policy
    • Media Kit
    • Featured Elsewhere
  • Search
  • Home
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • North America
    • South America
    • Pacific Islands
  • FOOD & WINE
  • TRAVEL GUIDES
  • TRAVEL RESOURCES
  • OTHER TOPICS
    • Rants & Raves
    • Reviews
    • Travel Blogger Interviews
  • ABOUT
    • Contact Form
    • Privacy Policy
    • Media Kit
    • Featured Elsewhere
  • Search
Château de Chaumont

Château de Chaumont – a Castle Entangled in Intrigue and Rivalry

Home » DESTINATIONS » Europe » France » Château de Chaumont – a Castle Entangled in Intrigue and Rivalry

Last Modified: June 16, 2024 //  by Anda //  26 Comments

From the bald hill with the same name, Château de Chaumont keeps watch over the river below. Located in the center of the Loire Valley, the castle was originally a fortress that protected the town of Blois.

Château de Chaumont is one of France’s largest and most impressive historical sites. Like most castles in the Loire Valley, it was entangled in intrigue, revenge, and rivalries.

Table of Contents

  • A Brief History of Château de Chaumont
    • Château de Chaumont
    • The Castle in Modern Times
  • Visiting the Château de Chaumont
    • The Château Stables
    • The Gardens
  • Practical Information for Visiting the Château de Chaumont

A Brief History of Château de Chaumont

Château de Chaumont was erected in the 10th century by Odo I, Count of Blois, as a defense fortress. In contrast with with the grand Chambord, or Chenonceaux, which are inland and on flat terrain, Chaumont has a great strategic position.

In 1455, King Louis XI burned down the castle to punish its owner at the time – Pierre of Amboise – for his involvement in the anti-royal revolt known as the ‘League of the Public Weal‘.

Château de Chaumont remained in the Amboise family for almost 500 years. It was however Charles I of Amboise  –Pierre’s son– who rebuilt it and turned it into the beautifully ornate château that you see today.

Bridge leading to the entrance of Château de Chaumont
Bridge leading to Chateau de Chaumont

Château de Chaumont

In 1560 the estate became the property of the notorious Catherine de Medici, shortly after the death of her husband, King Henry II.  There she entertained many astrologers, like the famous Nostradamus and the sorcerer Ruggieri, her adviser on occultism.

Remember the feud between Catherine de Medici and her rival, Diane de Poitier? Catherine just couldn’t bear the thought that Henry gave the beautiful Château de Chenonceau –which she had wanted for herself– to his favorite mistress, Diane de Poitier. So after the King’s death, Catherine forced Diane to relinquish her favorite Château de Chenonceau and move at Chaumont.

Diane de Poitier's room at Chateau de Chaumont
Diane de Poitier’s room at Chateau de Chaumont

Diane refused to live at Château de Chaumont. She only moved there for a short while after which she retired to the Château d’Anet, where she remained for the rest of her life.

However, during the short time she lived tat Chaumont, Diane undertook a long series of alterations on the castle, like the walkway and the battlements on the gatehouse.

In 1750 Chaumont became the property of the French aristocrat Jaques-Donation Le Ray, who bought it as a vacation home. Le Ray lost it 40 years later to the newly formed Revolutionary Government in Paris.

The Castle in Modern Times

In the second half of the nineteenth century Château de Chaumont was inherited by the wealthy heiress of a sugar tycoon – Marie Charlotte Say – who owned it till 1930. She enlarged and restored the castle, building the stables and the beautiful park around it.

Today, the château has three sides built around a central courtyard. However, the original construction had four sides. One was demolished in the 18th century by one of the castle owners, Monsieur Bertin, who wanted to have a better view of the Loire River.

View of the Loire River from Château de Chaumont
View of the Loire River from Château de Chaumont

Château de Chaumont is currently the property of the French government and was turned it into a museum.

Visiting the Château de Chaumont

The visit of Chaumont’s interiors starts in the Guard Room, which is basically the passageway to the Royal Chamber. It was also used as a training area for the guards and provided a place from which to watch the exterior of the castle.

The interior of the château is very spacious, with elegantly furnished rooms, beautiful tapestries and finely crafted floors. Among the rooms are those of Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers.

Room at Chateau de Chaumont

Many rooms, stairways and interior features of the Castle were remodeled in the Renaissance style in the 19th century.

Interior courtyard of the chateau
Interior courtyard of Château de Chaumont

The most impressive furnished room in the château is the Council Chamber, with its series of tapestries and a beautiful majolica-tiled floor from a palace in Palermo.

The Château Stables

The château stables are set around two communicating courtyards – a larger one for the use of the owners and a smaller one for their guests. These are the best preserved stables in France and in their days of glory they were quite luxurious.

The stables at Chateau de Chaumont
The Stables at Chateau de Chaumont

Inside the stable there is a fine collection of 19th-century equestrian gear, saddles and horse-drawn carriages.

The Gardens

The most enjoyable part of the castle was the beautiful garden that surrounds it. For the past 24 years, Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire has been hosting the International Garden Festival every year. The festival promotes not only landscape designs, but also contemporary art exhibits on the theme of nature.

The gardens of Château de Chaumont
The gardens of Château de Chaumont

The garden was a joyful celebration of seasons, having flowers from early spring till late fall. The castle grounds also host the Chaumont-sur-Loire Art Festival which began in 2008. The festival features a number of art installations both outside and inside.

Art display in the courtyard of Château de Chambord

Practical Information for Visiting the Château de Chaumont

Château de Chaumont is on the banks of the Loire river, about 17 kilometers south-west of Blois. 

By Car: the easiest way to get from Blois to Château de Chaumont is to drive which takes 20 min.
By Bus: there is a shuttle bus (Navette Azalys) that takes you  from Blois to Chaumont. Busses depart once daily, and operate only from Monday to Friday. The journey takes approximately 52 min.
By Train: there is a direct train departing from Blois and arriving at Onzain. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 8 min. From Onzain, you can take a cab to the castle (another 8 min – 4 km).
Château de Chaumont
Château de Chaumont

The parking for the castle and the entrance are several hundred meters from the centre of the village at the top of a long hill.

Entrance fee is 11 euros for the castle, 12 euros for the Garden Festival, or 16 euros for a combined ticket to enter both attractions.

You can visit Château de Chaumont in less time, but you should allow yourself at least 3 hours if you visit the castle during the International Garden Festival. You can explore the castle and grounds at your own speed, or if you prefer guided tours are also available at no extra cost.

Category: DESTINATIONS, Europe, FranceTag: Castles and Fortresses, Loire Valley

About Anda

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Previous Post: « Aboard the Mocanita, Romania’s Nostalgic Steam Train
Next Post: Château d’Amboise – Randezvous With the Dark Side of History »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Agness of Fit Travelling

    February 26, 2017 at 10:12 am

    Château de Chaumont is amazing and picturesque, Anda! Your post is detailed and educational!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      February 26, 2017 at 11:17 am

      Thank you, Agness. Loire Valley is not to be missed.

      Reply
  2. Vlad

    June 8, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    The French people must have some of the most beautiful castles in the world! I’ve always wanted to take a trip on the Loire Valley, to see all the castles. Your gorgeous photos have reminded me why 🙂

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 8, 2016 at 3:01 pm

      Thank you, Vlad. By all means you should take a trip to the Loire Valley. It’s not far from you and you’ll have a blast photographing all those castles.

      Reply
  3. Linda Bibb

    June 7, 2016 at 2:40 pm

    Beautiful, Anda. As you know we had to miss a trip to the Loire Valley that we were really excited about. We were planning to see a number of chateaux around Blois and this is one of the ones I was especially looking forward to visiting. I really had no idea that it was this well preserved though, or that the gardens are such a highlight. Do they host the International Garden Festival at the same time every year? We really enjoy gardens and garden shows and it would be fun to plan a trip around that, when we do finally make it.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 7, 2016 at 7:47 pm

      Too bad you had to miss this trip, Linda. I hope you’ll go back to the Loire Valley someday. Yes, the Garden Festival is in fall every year.

      Reply
  4. Donna Janke

    June 6, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    Château de Chaumont looks lovely. It appears to be very well-maintained. It must have been great to actually live here. Feud between wife and mistress aside, I can’t imagine refusing to live here. I have to echo the words of others – it does look like a fairy tale castle.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 7, 2016 at 7:49 pm

      Thank you for your comment, Donna. I’d imagine Diane de Poitier didn’t feel like living there not because the château wasn’t beautiful enough, but because she was forced by her rival.

      Reply
  5. Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute

    June 5, 2016 at 3:59 am

    A beautiful Chateau to be sure. One of our best experiences in France was spending a week in a small stone cottage in the Loire Valley. We’d visit a different castle each day, have a long sumptuously delicious lunch, visit a winery for some tasting and purchases, and relax in front of the fireplace in the late evenings. Your article brought me back to that wonderful time, thank you Anda!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 5, 2016 at 3:18 pm

      We did the same thing as you, Jim. We rented a beautiful 16th century house close to Blois for a week and we visited a castle each day. I would love to go back for another visit though.

      Reply
  6. Lyn@thetravellinglindfields

    June 4, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    I am one of those people who just visits to admire the beauty of French Chateaux and comes away with hardly any insight into their history. You make the history sound so interesting I feel like I am seeing the Chateaux all over again.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 5, 2016 at 3:22 pm

      The truth is that stories make visiting these castles so much more interesting. Looking at the bare walls of an old castle doesn’t mean much, but when you think at all the history that these walls have witnessed you see the castles in a very different light.

      Reply
  7. Brooke of Passport Couture

    June 4, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    Everything about the Chateau de Chaumont looks incredible! The castle and grounds around the castle are gorgeous. The “Golden Magnolias” on display are fascinating, I’d love to see it in person.

    Reply
  8. Michelle | michwanderlust

    June 4, 2016 at 7:15 am

    This castle looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale. I’ve read that Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany was the inspiration behind the Disney castle, and I’ve actually visited Neuschwanstein – but I’d believe it if someone told me this castle also inspired the Disney castle! It looks very elegant inside and out. I especially like the artfully placed pumpkins!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 4, 2016 at 8:53 am

      I thought the same think, Michelle. This really looks like a fairytale castle.

      Reply
  9. Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe

    June 4, 2016 at 6:14 am

    Is this the castle that is currently flooded? I saw tonight on the news that the Loire Valley is flooded and two of the castles have been closed due to the floods. Great photos and a place I hope to visit next year.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 4, 2016 at 9:11 am

      No, it wasn’t Chaumont that was flooded, it was actually Château de Chambored. Château de Chaumont is pretty high up, on a little hill.

      Reply
  10. Cathy

    June 3, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    I love the ball with the copper flowers- such a beautiful piece of art!

    Reply
  11. Suze - Luxury Columnist

    June 3, 2016 at 3:53 pm

    I lived in Tours for a while which is close by, and this is one of my favourite chateaux. I love the fact that there were pumpkins everywhere when you visited!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 3, 2016 at 10:01 pm

      I didn’t know you lived in France, Suze. Tours is a beautiful town. We just passed through it, but didn’t stop there.

      Reply
  12. Sadie

    June 3, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    What a beautiful place! I’m definitely going to have to tour the Loire Valley!

    Reply
  13. Cat | For Two, Please

    June 3, 2016 at 3:18 pm

    Wow, this place is gorgeous! Like a castle from the fairytale! Thanks for sharing, Anda 🙂

    Reply
  14. Lydia C. Lee

    June 3, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    That’s just stunning – I love those castles (probably because it’s so ‘foreign’ to us in our young country. I love that modern art work too (the ball) – the juxtaposition is so cool. You’ve made me very wistful for a trip to France.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 3, 2016 at 10:58 pm

      if you love castles the Loire Valley is just for you, Lydia.

      Reply
  15. Rhonda Albom

    June 2, 2016 at 9:13 pm

    A lovely castle that I’ve never had the chance to visit. I have wanted to tour the Loire river valley since I was in high school.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      June 3, 2016 at 1:23 pm

      There are so many, Rhonda, don’t feel bad about it. Always a reason to go back to the Loire Valley.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Travel Notes & Beyond a collection of travel stories and itinerary ideas designed to encourage independent travel at any age, while providing tips and useful information to help you make the most of your trip. Read More

 

Opt-in Form

POPULAR POSTS

  • Riding the Golden Pass Line from Lucerne to Interlaken
  • Towns in Sicily 10 Amazing Towns in Sicily That Everyone Should See
  • Red Rock Crossing Sedona, Arizona Red Rock Crossing – Hiking Sedona’s Most Iconic Trail
  • “The Crucifixion” – the Largest Painting Ever Painted
  • Places to Visit in Jerusalem 23 Historic Places to Visit in Jerusalem Old City

Footer

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All rights reserved © Travel Notes & Beyond. The material on this website is protected by copyright law. Republishing the content on this blog (including text, photography, etc.) is strictly prohibited.

Awards

  • Gold Award Winner
  • Silver Award Winner

AFFILIATE PROGRAM DISCLOSURE

Some of the pages and posts of this blog contain links to products and services that may be useful for my readers. When clicking on these links you will have the option to purchase or register for a service at no extra cost to you, but doing so can help me offset the costs associated with running this blog. Thank you for your support!

Orbitz
SHOP AMAZON HERE
Auto Europe vous offre des promotions sur les autos, les vols, et les hôtels.
Save On Airport Parking

Copyright © 2025 · Travel Notes & Beyond. All rights reserved

393 shares
  • 385