Loire castle with extensive garden
Chaumont Castle has extensive gardens, like many castles in the Loire area. These are divided into two spaces: the castle park itself, and the space for the Garden Festival, which is open to many artists, who are challenged each year to create something more spectacular than the last year (there is a different theme each year). Admission to the festival is paid separately from castle entrance: it's 10 euros to enter the festival space (complete entrance, which includes the festival, the castle and its stables is € 15.50, and 9.50 € for just the castle). I'm not a fan of nature, but walking through the Festival (which is open from late April to mid-October each year) was a delight: between amusement and amazement, I discovered original creations, combining flowers, trees, plants for the 2011 theme, "Biodiversity gardens and happy future." If you don't want to rush, I recommend a couple of hours for the festival, and another half day to visit the castle or stroll along the banks of the Loire River ..
