The seventh edition of “Quand fleurir est un art” unfolded from October 4-12, 2025, at the historic Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, transforming the château’s grand halls and elegant Écuries into breathtaking showcases of contemporary floral design. This unique nine-day celebration brought together some of the world’s most acclaimed floral artists, each creating spectacular installations that honored both the poetry of nature and the majestic spirit of this Renaissance castle overlooking the Loire River.
This marked my second visit to this extraordinary event, having first discovered it in its inaugural year. Returning has only deepened my appreciation for how “Quand fleurir est un art” has become an incredible source of inspiration for my creative spirit, while simultaneously delighting the history amateur in me. The way contemporary floral artistry dialogues with centuries-old architecture creates something truly magical—though I’ll save my deeper thoughts on Chaumont itself for another occasion, as this remains one of my favourite places to visit, a rare gem where Renaissance splendour meets beautifully curated contemporary art that makes you reflect, that incites your spirit toward discovery of the unknown.
This year’s event featured an exceptional international roster of talent, including Germany’s Petra Konrad and Nicolaus Peters, Belgium’s Chantal Post, and celebrated French artists BenoĂ®t Barbin, Clarisse BĂ©raud, Gil Boyard, Dylan Decamp, FrĂ©dĂ©ric DuprĂ©, and Charline Pritscaloff. Each artist brought their distinctive vision to the historic spaces, creating immersive experiences where cutting-edge floral design merged seamlessly with centuries-old architecture.
The 2025 edition also marked a special moment as the Domaine hosted the prestigious Coupe de France des Fleuristes from October 3-5, adding an exciting competitive dimension to this celebration of botanical artistry. Through dramatic compositions, unexpected material choices, and profound respect for the beauty of the natural world, “Quand fleurir est un art” continues to cement its reputation as France’s premier showcase for contemporary floral creation.
I invite you now to wander through the images that follow—a visual journey through the remarkable installations that graced Chaumont’s historic spaces. Let these photographs transport you into worlds where petals become poetry, where branches sketch stories in mid-air, and where the ephemeral beauty of flowers finds its perfect stage within stone walls that have witnessed centuries of human creativity.
Quand Fleurir est un Art (When Blooming becomes Art)
Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire, October 2025
All photos of this gallery are © Alexandra Poppy
Written & photographed by Alexandra Poppy
Writer, reader & curator of The Ritual of Reading
I’m Alexandra, the voice behind The Ritual of Reading. Somewhere between a stack of novels and a half-finished pot of tea, I keep finding traces of the life I want to live—slower, richer, filled with stories. The Ritual of Reading is where I gather what I love: books that linger, places with a past, and rituals that make ordinary days feel a little more meaningful. I write from Paris, where elegant bookshops and old-fashioned cafĂ©s offer endless inspiration—and I share it here, hoping it brings a spark to your own days, too.
