This castle near Paris takes you into a real fairy tale during the holidays.
During the winter period, as Christmas approaches, many castles in France are adorned with their most beautiful light displays and offer fun activities, workshops and thematic visits for everyone, like the grandiose castles of Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau or even Langeais. From this weekend and until January 16, 2025, it is a monumental castle a few steps from Paris which promises a grandiose experience.
Located in the heart of the Chevreuse valley in Yvelines, almost an hour by transport or car from the capital, this national domain is adorned with a thousand lights for the end-of-year celebrations and it starts this Saturday, December 14. It is an exceptional castle, with remarkable architecture, set in a 400 hectare forest park dating from the 17th century and surrounded by French gardens designed by André le Nôtre.
Experience a magical event with “Christmas at the castle” at the Domaine National de Dampierre. The estate’s park transforms this Saturday as soon as night falls into an open-air light show. With friends or family, we discover an original journey in the footsteps of Jules Verne in the salons of the castle, immersing us in the center of the Earth, in a balloon above Africa, in space towards the Moon and under the oceans aboard the Nautilus!
On specific dates, dramatized visits and Christmas stories are offered to the little ones, as well as screenings of iconic films, such as The Nightmare Before Christmas by Henry Selick based on the original work by Tim Burton , but also Beauty and the Beast or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, in the heart of the castle. Finally, we will be amazed by a Magic Lantern show in the Orangery.
In the park, rides in horse-drawn carriages pulled by American mules allow you to contemplate the beauty of the gardens in a fun way. Every Wednesday, pony rides are offered to the little ones.
Allow only 10 euros to enter the area (if you are under 18, it’s free for you), between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The show “Journey to the heart of the works of Jules Verne” costs 25 euros or 15 euros for children under 12 years old and that of Magic Lantern costs 18 euros or 8 euros for 6-12 year olds. Cinema screenings are priced at 5 euros. Please note that the area will be closed from December 25, 2024 to January 1, 2025 inclusive.