The Domaine de Dampierre-en-Yvelines (78) stepped back in time this Saturday, September 26, 2026. Nestled in the Chevreuse Valley, about forty kilometers from Paris, the estate welcomed The Enchanted Garden of Pompadour, a costumed garden party followed by the Mascarade, the estate’s masked-ball evening. Sortiraparis covered the day, which was guided by the spirit of Louis XV’s favorite.
For an afternoon and an evening, the park traded its usual calm for a lively flutter of petticoats, powdered wigs, and fans. It was already known for its floraisons printanières, but this time it was rediscovered as a royal court festival.
The idea was straightforward: experience the estate in a different light, as one would have done in the age of the royal favorites. The day's program unfolded in three outdoor highlights:
The real show wasn’t just on stage—it was the audience as well. Period costumes weren’t mandatory, but many joined in, from full panier gowns to a simple ribbon tied in the hair. And for good measure: those arriving in costume were clearly the ones having the most fun.
The setting does the work. Between the reflective pool, the Grand Canal, and the French-style parterres, it sometimes felt like strolling through a Fragonard painting. The youngsters, for their part, had plenty to keep them busy while the parents played at being marquis.
The equestrian display drew young and old to the horses, a reminder that 18th-century celebrations were lived as much on horseback as on the dance floor.
As the sun sinks over the canal, the celebration shifts its scene. From 7 p.m., La Mascarade takes the baton in the Grand Salon of the château, for an evening of a masked ball centered on Venetian elegance.
Here, donning period costumes wasn’t optional but mandatory, and the mask was the finishing touch. A more intimate, dressier format than a garden party (€99 per person), one that kept the immersion going right through the night.
The choice is anything but chance. Dampierre stands for six centuries of history, a castle tied to the de Luynes family, a 90-hectare park and gardens credited to André Le Nôtre, set on a reflecting pool that stretches into a grand canal.
The 18th century left its taste for décor and theater there, and cinema has kept that memory alive. In 1996, Patrice Leconte shot Ridicule there, capturing its courtly intrigues. Thirty years on, the estate returns to the world of costume fêtes, this time under the patronage of Louis XV’s favorite.
Don’t panic: the estate isn’t packing away its showpieces just yet. On Sunday, October 4, 2026, it will host the inaugural edition of a car gathering open to classic, sports, and luxury vehicles. Then, from October 17 to November 2, 2026, it pivots to Couleurs d'automne, the park’s seasonal highlight.
The restoration project is pressing ahead, and fresh dining options are set to be announced by year’s end. The full programme is detailed in our feature on the transformation of the estate and its 2026 programme, as well as on the Dampierre Estate News page.
The Dampierre Estate sits on Grande Rue in Dampierre-en-Yvelines (78720), right in the heart of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Natural Park. With the château undergoing renovations, visits focus on the park and the gardens. Down the slope, the village of Dampierre offers a spot for a drink or a tasty pause before hitting the road.
The hoops dress whetted your appetite for adventure? Take the immersion further at the Château de La Celle-Saint-Cloud, another haunt of Madame de Pompadour in the Yvelines, with its estate and its Japanese garden.
To seize every upcoming chance to don the tricorne, our guide to historical balls and celebrations in Paris and Île-de-France is updated as new announcements come in.
Everything you need to know about the Dampierre estate
Dampierre: the château’s interiors remain closed for restoration
The interiors of the Château de Dampierre-en-Yvelines are closed to visitors during restoration work. The park and gardens remain open according to the estate’s schedule; special openings follow their own programme. [Read more]
The Domaine de Dampierre-en-Yvelines is taking part in the new edition of the Night of the Castles on October 17 and 18, 2026. Discover the charming family-friendly program that should make this evening very special! [Read more]
Location
Dampierre Castle
2 Grande Rue
78720 Dampierre en Yvelines
Route planner
Dampierre: the château’s interiors remain closed for restoration
Night of the Castles 2026: music, performances and a candlelit evening at Dampierre-en-Yvelines Castle
