Castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire, Heritage castle in Loire Valley, France
The stone fortress stands on a hilltop overlooking the Loire River, featuring round towers, a drawbridge entrance, and inner courtyard gardens.
Catherine de Medici acquired the castle in 1550, forcing Diane de Poitiers to exchange Chenonceau for Chaumont after King Henry II's death.
The castle functions as a center for contemporary art exhibitions, displaying installations throughout its rooms and gardens during annual events.
Visitors can explore the furnished chambers, stables, gardens, and temporary exhibitions with a combined admission ticket from April through October.
The castle's stables, built in 1877, contain advanced engineering systems including central heating and running water, unusual for their time period.
Location: Chaumont-sur-Loire
Founders: Odo I, Count of Blois
Website: http://chaumont-jardin.com
GPS coordinates: 47.47917,1.18194
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:37
The castles surrounding Paris provide insight into several centuries of French history. From medieval fortresses to Renaissance palaces to Napoleonic residences, each structure represents different architectural styles and periods. These buildings served as homes for French kings, emperors and noble families, and today house significant collections of furniture, artworks and historical objects. Many are surrounded by extensive gardens and grounds that are also open to visitors. The collection spans a wide geographic area from Versailles to the Loire Valley, offering destinations that range from half-hour to two-hour drives from Paris. Properties like Versailles and Fontainebleau attract millions of visitors annually, while smaller estates like Château de Breteuil or Château de Condé provide quieter alternatives. Some, like Château de Guédelon, offer unusual perspectives on medieval construction methods, while restored sites such as Château de Pierrefonds demonstrate 19th-century interpretations of medieval architecture.
The Loire River houses castles from French Renaissance and Classical periods. These structures display architectural elements of their time and document noble life. Each castle presents distinct features, from Gothic ornaments to symmetrical gardens. The interiors contain original furniture, tapestries, and art collections.
Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire
380 m
Château of Bury
9.8 km
Tempel La Gendronniere
5.5 km
Chateau d'Onzain
2.5 km
Château de Madon
9.2 km
Abbey at Guiche
7.6 km
Château de la Pigeonnière
10.9 km
Manoir de Laleu
3.9 km
Église Saint-Saturnin de Limeray
10.7 km
Église Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais d'Onzain
2.4 km
Église Saint-Martin de Cangey
9.3 km
Église Saint-Martin de Mosnes
6.7 km
Église Saint-Secondin de Molineuf
10.6 km
Église Notre-Dame de Mesland
5.6 km
Saint Martin church of Sambin
9.7 km
Saint Peter church of Ouchamps
9.6 km
Saint Martin church of Monthou-sur-Bièvre
8.6 km
Église Saint-Denis
7.6 km
Église Saint-Julien de Chambon-sur-Cisse
9.6 km
Église Sainte-Eugénie de Rilly-sur-Loire
3.6 km
Église Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul
5.3 km
Église Saint-Nicolas
423 m
Église Saint-Bienheuré de Candé-sur-Beuvron
6.1 km
Église Saint-Vincent
4.4 km
Église Notre-Dame de Valaire
6.6 km
Chapelle du château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
22 m
Tour des Montils
8.8 km
Grange de la Perdrière
6.7 kmReviews
Real people, real opinions — but not verified.
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
A little less known than all the other castles of the Loire, but a visit is necessary! Very nice viewpoint over the river and a very interesting castle to discover.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes