Dampierre-en-Yvelines — It is one of our favorite day trips in the Greater Paris region. The castle and gardens of the Domaine de Dampierre-en-Yvelines is re-opening on March 23rd and the grounds, castle and forest are all ready for the public to step right in. The castle and gardens of the Domaine de Dampierre-en-Yvelines, the Domain of the Dukes of Chevreuse, welcomed the kings and queens of France into its celebrated iconic walls for fabulous fetes and sumptuous sojourns. Currently the castle, which is just an hour’s drive from Paris, is undergoing a major renovation, one of the largest in a privately owned historic monument, all the while remaining open to the public. The castle is a masterpiece by Louis XIV’s favorite architect Jules Hardouin Mansart while the king of gardeners and gardener of kings, André Le Nôtre of Versailles fame, designed the glorious grounds. It was purchased by the French industrialist Franky Mulliez in 2018 who has embarked on a major restoration of this 17th century gem. 

Highlights of this year’s season include a professionally guided visit to the castle’s interior before it undergoes restoration enabling the public to discover the rich decors within, notably a fresco by the French Neoclassical painter Ingres, the 17th century rooms and the private chapel of the Dukes of Chevreuse. This visit is by reservation only and is exclusive to this season. Meanwhile the courtyard and the entrance gate to the castle have been fully restored and a new pathway has been created in the gardens to observe the wild flora and fauna in the surrounding forest. Children under 18 accompanied by an adult may visit the estate free of charge. And not to be missed are the horse and carriage rides through the forest. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette. 22bis rue de Chevreuse à Dampierre-en-Yvelines, France. + 33 (0) 30 52 52 83. https://www.domaine-dampierre.com/