This , well another castle in the Loire and lately in the area decided to stop by as driving along the Loire river. This is the castle city of Chaumont sur Loire. We were driving to pick up some wines and decided to come here before getting to the wines in Limeray near Amboise. This is in the valley of the kings but really in department 41 Loir et Cher in the region of Centre-Val de Loire. Therefore, here is my take on the Château of Chaumont sur Loire, part I !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Really to get here from the usual Paris you can do the route on the autoroute A10 to direction Bordeaux. Take exit 17 direction Amboise you will be on the D952A pass Blois over the Loire river on the road D174 once on the other side of the Loire take right into the D951/D751 direction Amboise and soon see on the panels Chaumont S/Loire. Once entering town take the first traffic light left into the castle parking about 1000 meters (1 km). You can come by train on the line Paris Gare d’Austerlitz-Orléans-Tours stopping at Orzain/Chaumont sur Loire, but never done it by train.
It was time to hit the castle. We took the car to climb to the parking lot nearest the entrance, there was security checking the bags, and ticket office, all very easy and in we were. The castle of Chaumont sur Loire is very old having been founded around the year 1000 by Odo I Count of Blois. The history as you can tell is long and easy found in official brochures as many Kings and nobles took part in its history including the reluctant resident Diane de Poitiers and it is to her that most of the castle appereance is credited from 1562-1566 period. Many more owners after her again Marie-Charlotte-Constance who married Prince Henri-Amédée de Broglie and was the last private owner of the castle until 1938. At this time the Govt of France took possession. The princess Broglie spent her last days in the luxury hôtels of Paris like the Ritz and George V as well as her Paris apartment at rue de Grenelle; she finally passed away in 1943.
The castle has a great arts community at its entrance with several modern building showing works of arts (like the Mexican Gabriel Orozco) , and a wonderful winter garden (jardin d’hiver) all very well landscape starting in 1880 at the request of prince Broglie. It has a wonderful stables (écuries) building apart from the castle with a nice water tower (château d’Eau) in the garden. You can, also see a dogs cementary (ciméntiere des chiens) with an elephant as well all very well care by the Prince:ss Broglie. The park was for renovation but we got in because were given a reduction in the ticket!
Inside the castle, you will see the beautiful dining room with the coat of arms of Cardinal Georges d’Amboise and historical tapestries from the 16C. You move on to the Library with 19C bookcases , tapestries from the 17C done at Aubusson showing the life of Alexander the Great. Then, the Little Living Room, with empire period clock in marble with gilded in bronze;continue to the Billiards room, with a ceilings painting of different scènes of the castle, more tapestries of the 16C on the life of Hannibal. You reach the Great Salon on the inspiration style of the castle of Blois many things there goes back to Napoleon III or late 19C. You leave into the courtyard and visit the Chapel restored in 1886. It shows the history of Chaumont from its origins to the Broglie family’s days. Paintings from the 15C and do go down to the Kitchen but still was under renovation.
The stables or écuries were order by Prince de Broglie in 1877, the larger used by the Castle owners and the smaller one for the guests. You see carriages houses and carriages with Tools of the times with kitchen and working saddlery and next the gala saddlery unchanged since the 19C; you have also, a small riding arena of about 12meters and then the pony stables!
The Festival International des Jardins (international gardens festival from April to November. More on the Festival here: http://www.domaine-chaumont.fr/en/international-garden-festival
In all a nice visit of another wonderful Loire castle at Chaumont sur Loire, you will need a lifetime to see them all. We passed by many not famous or even known but equally impressive properties some still private. Come and enjoy the Loire, oh this is region Centre-Val de Loire, where the main famous castles are, not to be confused with other region of castles Pays de la Loire.
The city of Chaumont sur Loire on the castle : https://chaumontsurloire.fr/le-chateau/
The official castle of Chaumont sur Loire: https://domaine-chaumont.fr/en/home
The Blois-Chambord regional tourist office on the castle: https://www.bloischambord.co.uk/explore/the-chateaux/the-regional-estate-of-chaumont-sur-loire
There you go folks, another dandy in my valley of the kings not far and nice, another jewel in my belle France. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Château of Chaumont sur Loire, part I !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good heatlh, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 