Walk along the garden path in the Loire Valley

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

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

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.

Garden island

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

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

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?

Utopian oasis

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

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

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...

Cardinal sin

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

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

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.

Aboveground

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

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

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.

Jazz in the Garden

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

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!