Walk along the garden path in the Loire Valley

Inspiration

Eco-DurableLoire ValleyNature and Outdoor ActivitiesCultural HeritageSpring

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire vu depuis les allées du Festival International des Jardins, en 2018.
© Eric Sander - Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire vu depuis les allées du Festival International des Jardins, en 2018.

Reading time: 0 minPublished on 30 November 2023, updated on 20 April 2024

For over 30 years, the International des Jardins de Chaumont-sur-Loire Festival (Gardens of Chaumont-sur-Loire International Festival) has awakened our senses and our imaginations with these stunning gardens. While awaiting the next edition, let's take an imaginary walk through the past years' artistic utopias. Commenting on the future of the planet, these works can be poetic, futuristic or fantastic, but they're always the perfect place to think, dream and hope.

Eternal paradise

Jardin de paradis #jardinéternel, Festival International des Jardins 2019.
© Eric Sander - Jardin de paradis #jardinéternel, Festival International des Jardins 2019.

The eternity we are talking about here is not that of paradise, as in the Persian garden, but rather that of the purple plastic bags that sway over a "jungle" of leaves! They are an ideal crop without watering, without gardening, the colors of which would be guaranteed all year round. Yet, they also whisper about the ubiquity of this material (which is not very degradable) in our current landscapes.

Garden island

La Possibilité d'une île, Festival International des Jardins, 2018.
© Eric Sander - La Possibilité d'une île, Festival International des Jardins, 2018.

Be charmed by the reflections on the mirror of water, then ask yourself a question: why is there one lonely tree? It is "the possibility of an island", or rather of a garden when the rising waters will be restrained.

Flower tide

De l'autre côte du miroir, Festival des Jardins, 2017.
© Eric Sander - De l'autre côte du miroir, Festival des Jardins, 2017.

First running as an undergrowth alley, then suddenly, a sea of colors amplified by mirrors arranged as decoys. The flower, the theme of this edition being "Flower Power," is multiplied into infinity! This installation is the opportunity to take a picture and finally take the time to contemplate nature.

Utopian oasis

Le jardin flottant du songe, Festival International des Jardins, 2016.
© Eric Sander - Le jardin flottant du songe, Festival International des Jardins, 2016.

Raw land reminiscent of global warming and exuberant vegetation evoking the dreams of aerial cities. And in the center, an oasis linking technology and environmental preservation. Is this utopia?

Rare treasures

Cabinets de curiosités végétales, Festival des Jardins 2015.
© Eric Sander - Cabinets de curiosités végétales, Festival des Jardins 2015.

Dreamers, poets or aesthetes: the makers of this piece devoted all their energy to building an amazing plant work. These "green thumbed collectors" pay tribute to these "cabinets of plant curiosities," each containing a rare palm tree as a treasure!

Cardinal sin

Le Domaine de Narcisse, Festival des Jardins 2014.
© C. Diaz - Le Domaine de Narcisse, Festival des Jardins 2014.

This piece represents nothing less than reintroducing sin to the Garden of Eden. In the middle of the bushes, an unusual mirror invites us to admire our image like a vain Narcissus. You can also look for signs behind appearances, a hidden garden at the bottom of the water or reflections of the clouds. The landscape is beyond a mirror...

Sweet nothings

Le jardin d'amour, Festival des Jardins 2013.
© Eric Sander - Le jardin d'amour, Festival des Jardins 2013.

Thirty-five male and female voices saying "I love you" in 35 languages against a cacophony of calls from birds and other animals. Welcome to the Garden of Love. Get lost in it between the red willows' whispers and your own sensations. This is a garden to be listened to as seen, especially when it says such sweet things!

Aboveground

Sylphe, installation de Jean-Philippe Poirée-Ville pour le Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, 2012.
© Eric Sander - Sylphe, installation de Jean-Philippe Poirée-Ville pour le Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, 2012.

Grow vines above ground: this Jean-Philippe Poirée-Ville's crazy gamble, an artist who developed a system of aerial crops for this entry. "Sylphe's" (named for a mythical air spirit) intertwining vines belie a roundness underlining a daring counterpoint of the castle's vertical lines.

Biodiversity

Les bulbes fertiles, Festival des Jardins 2011.
© Festival International des Jardins - Les bulbes fertiles, Festival des Jardins 2011.

These giant bulbs appear to be flourishing, emerging from their roots—this opulent installation pays homage to the work of the soil, and beyond, to the art of happy biodiversity, the future of gardening!

Jazz in the Garden

Hommage à Lady Day, Festival des Jardins, 2010.
© Eric Sander - Hommage à Lady Day, Festival des Jardins, 2010.

Between pastel meadows and the dark backdrop of a jazz salon, hear the voice of Billie Holiday singing "Body and Soul". "Hommage to Lady Day" is tribute to the singer, as well as to the concept of the garden that cares for body and mind.

Red as Hope

Voir Rouge, Festival International des Jardins, 2009.
© Eric Sander - Voir Rouge, Festival International des Jardins, 2009.

As if on the alert, this ocean of red seems to warn us of an imminent danger. "Seeing Red" is a message to reflect on while keeping hope as a common thread: life is there in these bushes, and it beats like a heart!

By Rédaction France.fr

The magazine of the destination unravels an unexpected France that revisits tradition and cultivates creativity. A France far beyond what you can imagine…

See more