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Since 2008, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire has been owned by the Centre Region, which has created a new public body for cultural cooperation with the aim of implementing an ambitious artistic project. The Centre Region is one of the first regional authorities to apply to purchase a national Estate, with it being especially prestigious due to its past and its exceptional location on the banks of the Loire, a landscape classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.

The mission of this public body is, on the one hand, to ensure the protection and enhancement of all the fixed and movable assets that make up the Domaine, including the Château, Stables, outbuildings, Grounds and collections and, on the other hand, to develop a range of activities centred around contemporary artistic creativity, in the Château and in the Grounds, including the International Garden Festival, founded in 1992.

From the sumptuous décors that were Diane de Poitier’s heart’s desire to the extravagances of the Princess of Broglie, from Nini’s medallions to Francis Poulenc’s recitals, from Nostradamus to Germaine de Staël, from the Henri Duchêne Grounds to the Garden Festival, Chaumont-sur-Loire has always been at the cutting edge of artistic creativity, elegance and fantasy.

Remaining totally respectful of this rich artistic history, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire puts on a lively and diversified programme all about the link between art and nature, throughout the year, in the Château, in the Grounds and of course within the framework of the Garden Festival. With all the activities (installations, artistic works, photographic exhibitions, conferences, meetings, etc.) being linked to this theme, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is seen as the leading “Centre d’Arts et de Nature” [Arts and Nature Centre], entirely dedicated to the relationship between nature, culture, artistic creation and innovative landscaping.

A Cultural Meeting Centre since October 2008, in the same way as the Royaumont Abbey and the Carthusian Monastry of Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is now part of a European network of prestigious establishments, recognised by the Ministry of Culture and Communication, which all have the mission of safeguarding heritage, creating an innovative artistic project and providing firm roots for their cultural development.

The Grounds and the International Garden Festival of Chaumont-sur-Loire have just earned the “Outstanding Gardens” label and will be awarded the “Outstanding Trees” label in 2011 for the exceptional cedars which grace the grounds of the Domaine.