If you’d like to experience dancing in a Palace, treat yourself to an evening at the Versailles Masked Ball.
So get your costumes!
Since 2011, the Palace of Versailles has been staging a sumptuous masked ball every year, as well as occasional operas, concerts and plays in luxurious venues adorned in gold and rich in history. These performances are by European artists with timeless ballets. Among the best-known are operas written and staged by Vivaldi – La Senna festeggiante and Mozart – The Magic Flute.
With its meticulous staging, this thirteenth edition of Soirées à Versailles perpetuates the exuberance of yesteryear, immersing you in an unprecedented experience of what one might imagine a seventeenth-century evening to be like. From 11:30 p.m. until dawn, enjoy an unforgettable evening out of the ordinary.
The ball takes place in the Orangerie of the Château up to the Bosquet of the Salle de Bal. It’s an ode to the French art of living, and symbolizes the start of summer. The idea is to relive the splendors of the court during the reign of Louis XIV. The golden rule is to come dressed in costume and masks: no one is allowed in without a Baroque costume and its typical accessories… For one night, rent an exceptional Baroque costume as grand as the experience itself, where exuberance becomes a necessity: it’s a unique experience thanks to shows, music and fireworks. Feathers, silk, embroidery, lace, wigs, Venetian masks, fans – the château expects you to be as exuberant as the Court and its guests were. It’s an evening of entertainment: dancers, costumes, fireworks and music for up to 2,500 people.
This seventeenth-century immersion captivates both French and international audiences, who come from all over the world to enjoy the experience. In addition to this exceptional ball, other events are organized in the Galerie des Glaces for dancing and costume parties; and festive events with fountain games and fireworks in the garden.
It’s an exceptional ball, which I’ve attended twice.
The concept of Versailles soirées dates back to the reign of Louis XIV in the 17th century.
Evenings at the Palace of Versailles organized by Louis XIV were renowned for being grandiose and demonstrating the power of the monarchy. In those days, soirées were a sign of wealth, luxury and success. Most soirées were held between 1664 and 1685. Often, the opening of the soirées marked the beginning of summer.
One of the highlights of his reign was a 6-day event from May 7 to 13, 1664, entitled “Les plaisirs de l’île enchantée”, to honor Anne of Austria and Queen Maria Theresa. Three days were devoted to equestrian games, water scenography, theatrical performances and sumptuous dinners. As a result, Versailles was recognized as a place for revelry and festivity.
In 1668, Le Grand Divertissement royal celebrated the incorporation of Flemish towns such as Dunkirk and Lille into France. The highlight of the event was the performance of a comedy written by Molière and Lully, accompanied by banquets and a ball, and closed with a fireworks display.
Last but not least, another highlight of the absolute king’s years was the Divertissements de Versailles, held in 1674 to celebrate the reconquest of Franche Comté, a territory that had been under German rule. The festival runs from July 4 to August 31.
- On July 4: refined meal and tragedy imagined by Lully and Philippe Quinault.
- On July 11: L’Églogue de Versailles, an interlude written by Lully and Quinault, in a Salon de Verdure, followed by a dinner with violin and oboe.
- On July 19, the menagerie was the setting for a snack for the ladies of the court, followed by a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. In the evening, Le Malade imaginaire by Molière and Marc-Antoine Charpentier is performed in a theater in front of the grotto of Thetis.
- On July 28: an exceptional light meal is held at the Théâtre d’Eau. Then a musical pastoral in the park, featuring Fêtes d’Amour et de Bacchus, concludes with fireworks and a grand feast.
- On August 18, at the orangery, the public is invited to attend a performance of Racine’s Iphigénie, followed by an exceptional fireworks display.
- The festivities conclude on August 31 with an exceptional gondola illumination.
The Orangerie at the Château de Versailles:
The Orangerie, an emblematic feature of the Château de Versailles, was first imagined by Louis Le Vau, then 20 years later, Jules Hardouin-Mansart designed a more modern building.
Its purpose was to house the king’s botanical enthusiasts’ orange trees in winter. He asked to plant orange trees from Portugal, Spain and Italy. (It’s important to note that oranges were considered a luxury food). Facing due south, the Orangerie’s parterre and plantations are protected by walls 4 to 5 meters high. The garden unfolds around a large circular basin, framed by four geometric lawns. Plantings vary according to the season: in summer, you’ll find a variety of shrubs: some 1,055 boxed trees, orange trees, palms, pomegranates and oleanders. In winter, shrubs such as Eugenia are planted. In this exceptional setting of greenery and geometric shapes, many other events are held, with the idea of representing what was once a must-see event.
The 13th edition of the masked ball looks promising.
The ball will be under the artistic direction of choreographer Aziz Baki.
Une belle soirée clubbing en vue atypique.
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