Chaumont is a fine example of a garden that has enhanced it offering by creating an arts centre as part of the estate.

The chateau and landscaped gardens are set high on a natural promontory with sweeping views of the River Loire and valley - it really is a superb location.

Each year the estate hosts an international garden festival. 

A special area has been created that contain 24 separate gardens. Each is designed and planted by a collaboration of designers, artists and horticulturists. 

In 2013 the theme was Garden of Sensations and each garden was created to stimulate the senses. 

They are not garden designs but works of art where the plants add other dimensions to the work.

As a horticultural experience Chaumont is not high up the list, but as a day out in the fabulous Loire region of France to enjoy the great outdoors, see some superb sculptures and peruse some large scale art - it does well.  

And of course the Chateau itself looks quite superb.

It was started in the 15th century, mainly as a defensive structure but transformed in the middle of the 16th century in the Renaissance Chateau style we love so much today.  It was owned for a while by Catherine de Medici but she swapped it with Diane de Poitiers for Cheneonceau.  As you do . . .