Chaumont-sur-Loire: A Success Story in the Loire Valley

Lovers of the Chaumont-sur-Loire estate always look forward to the return of fine weather, when they come to enjoy culture, nature, or both at the same time. But the 2022 vintage is special. Firstly, it marks a triple anniversary: the 30th anniversary of its International Garden Festival, which each year unveils 30-odd temporary gardens; the 15th anniversary of its "Saison d’art” (“Art Season"), which presents the original creations of 15 artists in dialogue with the landscape and the château, and the 5th anniversary of Chaumont-Photo-sur-Loire, scheduled for the fall. But for its director, Chantal Colleu-Dumond, who is not the type of person to limit herself to celebrations, these events coincide with the opening of a hotel, Le Bois des Chambres, enabling visitors to prolong the enchantment. For, in 15 years, their numbers have more than doubled to over 500,000 (before the health crisis). “The hospitality aspect was missing," she says. “Because there is a lack of accommodation in the area and you need two days to explore our site.” But it is a hotel with a difference, for it goes…