Château de Dampierre, Dampierre-en-Yvelines, France

The Château de Dampierre was built by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1675–1683 for the duc de Chevreuse in French Baroque style. Protected behind fine wrought iron double gates, the main block and its outbuildings, linked by balustrades, are ranged symmetrically around a dry paved and gravelled cour d'honneur (three-sided courtyard). Behind, the central axis is extended between the former parterres, now mown hay. The park with formally shaped water was laid out by André Le Nôtre. There are sumptuous interiors.

The grande galerie was reconstructed for the amateur archaeologist and collector, Honoré Théodore Paul Joseph d'Albert, duc de Luynes, under the direction of antiquarian architect Félix Duban. Sculptor Pierre-Charles Simart contributed Hellenic friezes and reliefs for the project. Ingres' Age of Gold remains as testament to the abortive project of decorating it in fresco, not Ingres' habitual medium.

The park, which lost many trees in the storm of 26 December 1999, offers a formal canal and an eighteenth-century garden folly.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Augustin Onaciu (7 months ago)
Beautiful scenery, very preserved castle Plenty of parking places Natural landscapes are amazing

steve howie (2 years ago)
Lovely park. I'm only giving four stars because the château is currently closed for restoration and eight Euros seems slightly steep for admission to the park only. Helpful and friendly staff.

Foteini Paschalidou (3 years ago)
Amazing place to visit and the forest in the suroundings! Cute cafes and restaurants, and in general nice place for a visit!

Prachi Dharani (4 years ago)
Amazing to have a small picnic with your loved ones. Amazing weather and view if you go during May, June, July, August. Of course.

Nafisa Colombowala (5 years ago)
Beautiful Chateau...the palace of Versailles is inspired by this palace

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright CONTROTONO

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum

The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Its history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.

Château de Dampierre

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum