Chaumont Castle – Chateau Chaumont

The Chateau Chaumont dominates the Loire River from its heavy silhouette which looks more like a fortress than a palace. Despite its medieval façade, the castle was only completed in the 18th century.

The province had belonged to the Amboise family since the 12th century, and by the end of the 15th century became one of the most important domains in the French Kingdom.

The reconstruction of the old fortress was started in 1466 by the bishop Pierre d’ Amboise, brother of the famous cardinal Georges d’Amboise. Many modifications to the castle were made by Charles I and Charles II of Amboise, as well as Diane de Poitiers.

The rooms are furnished and decorated in the 15th and 16th century styles. The Chateau features many interesting rooms such as the room of the Guards (former bedroom of Diane de Poitiers), the room of the Council (former bedroom of Catherine de Médicis) and the room of the Saint Nicolas’s tower. It is also famous for its beautiful dome.

Nowadays, the castle gardens each year play host to the International Festival of the Gardens (from mid-June to mid-October). The gardens are at their most beautiful in mid autumn.