Your Ultimate Guide to The Versailles Grand Masked Ball

In the heart of France lies a palace that echoes the grandeur of centuries past. Amidst Versailles Palace’s sprawling gardens and ornate halls, there exists an event that covers the essence of Versailles’ majesty – the Grand Masked Ball, or Le Grand Bal Masqué. In this blog post, I’ll give you all the details to planning and attending the Versailles Grand Masked Ball because this is one bucket list event you do not want to miss.

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A Glimpse Into History

The Grand Masked Ball of Versailles transports attendees back to the lavish court life of 17th and 18th century France. Originally, these balls were a staple of royal entertainment, with Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, being particularly fond of such festivities.

Held in the iconic Hall of Mirrors or the opulent gardens, these balls were extravagant affairs where nobles and courtiers would don masks and costumes to conceal their identities and mingle freely.

Now, the Grand Masked Ball that started in 2011 and has continued yearly, creates a spectacular soirée for everyone to enjoy and take you back in time.

About the Grand Masked Ball

In recent years, the Grand Masked Ball of Versailles has experienced a resurgence in popularity, attracting visitors from around the globe eager to experience a taste of aristocratic and lavish life.

Organized by the Palace of Versailles, this event offers a rare opportunity to step into the shoes of French royalty and immerse oneself in a world of luxury. And let me tell you, you’ll feel like royalty when attending.

Don’t get this confused with Fêtes Galantes, which is a more traditional, formal, and elegant affair in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles during the month of May. The Grand Masked Ball is more of a party, or as others have called it, a rave!

When & Where

The Versailles Grand Masked Ball usually takes place on the second or third Saturday in mid June. Each year, the date announcement can happen as early as the day after the ball. But a tip to be in the know, is follow their instagram for all the information such as event dates and when tickets go on sale.

In 2024, the Versailles Grand Masked Ball is on June 8th, and starts at 11:30 pm until dawn.

The event is held at Orangery at Château de Versailles. The Orangery is located in the gardens of Versailles under the palace.

Purchasing Your Tickets

Tickets usually go on sale between December and January. This has become such a popular event, that tickets sell out within 2-3 days of going on sale. When the time comes to purchase your tickets, purchase them here. Like I previously mentioned, follow their instagram page for up to date information.

There are four tiers of tickets to choose from:

• Entrée Simple –  €125.00 – Includes entrance to the ball
• Billet VIP – €225.00 – Includes entrance, access to VIP area with special buffet and two glasses of champagne
• Extravagant – €400.00 – Includes access to Extravagant area with reserved buffet and table, unlimited champagne, special car park, and priority cloakroom (highly recommended among many)
• Fantastique – €530.00 – Includes access to the best seats in the Extravagant area near the front of the stage, unlimited champagne, special car park, and priority cloakroom

The Extravagant and Fantastique tickets give you access to a private bathroom, which eliminates the long lines in the more public areas. You also have access to seats and tables, free food and drink, and closer access to the stages. When you’re hot from dancing and wearing the big, elaborate costumes, it’s nice to have somewhere to sit to relax.

Once you purchase your tickets, you will receive them via email digitally. Just to be safe, I would carry a paper copy of your tickets incase they don’t accept the digital copy. In the past, they have not let people in without a paper copy of their tickets. In 2024, they were scanning everyone’s phones.

Dressing the Part

Attending the Grand Masked Ball of Versailles isn’t just about witnessing history; it’s about becoming a part of it. The dress code for the event is fairly strict, with attendees expected to adhere to the standards of 17th and 18th century court fashion.

For men, this means donning tailored suits of period-appropriate attire with a mask. Ladies have the opportunity to showcase elaborate gowns adorned with lace, silk, and jewels, complemented by equally extravagant masks and headdresses.

Everyone really goes all out for this event in stunning, authentic costumes, so please don’t show up in cheap costumes that you probably picked up at a Halloween shop. For a mask, you can either wear one that ties or on a stick to hold. Some even consider tattoo masks that will not sweat off in the heat!

Comfortable shoes should also be considered since you’ll be on your feet most of the time, dancing and walking around. Thankfully, with a big dress skirt, you can easily hide the kind of shoes you’ll be wearing.

For the men, many wear comfortable black loafers or slip on shoes. Being on your feet for 5+ hours can be torturous if you’re in the wrong shoes.

You’ll also need something to carry a few of your things in. For the men, I recommend a little belt bag that can be hidden under your costumes. You’ll be able to hold onto your phone, card/cash, and any other little things they may need for the night. As for the women, a small bag is allowed into the ball.

I carried this handbag purse all night and it was perfect. I didn’t have to worry about losing it, it was big enough to fit my phone and a bar to snack on, and even had a few other essentials.

Details of the Ball

Your ticket includes entrance for the musical fountain and fireworks show that start around 10:30 – 10:45 pm prior to the ball starting. You can arrive as early as 8:30 pm to the grounds of Versailles to walk around the gardens and take pictures.

People will definitely try to take pictures with you dressed up, as guests who are visiting the palace will still be on the premises for the fountain and fireworks show. It’s so fun to walk around the grounds with majority of the guests also in costume.

After the fireworks show, the regular guests of Versailles depart and everyone attending the ball will make their way through the gardens to the Orangery to get the party started!

Music & Entertainment

Upon entering the doors, you are greeted with such an unbelievable vibe. There seems to be a theme each year, and the decor and entertainment fit to make your night something you do not want to miss.

There is a main DJ booth located inside that plays club and techno music the entire night. It seemed like between every performance, the DJs would switch out. Personally, I liked the music, but I know that others did not.

There was a stage located directly in the center of the venue. Every 30 – 45 minutes, there were performances that rotated between dancing and acrobatics.

If you were further away from the stage, it was a bit harder to view the stage due to the crowds. After each performance, the crew would change out the stage decor to prepare for the next!

Although not technically entertainment, they have a bigger bonfire outside the doors to sit around and enjoy if you need a break from inside dancing. Every time I went outside, the fire was packed with people sitting around it.

Food & Drink

In 2024, Versailles implemented a cashless bracelet paying system. If you had a ticket that did not include food or drink, you made your way over to a separate tent to pick up a bracelet and load it with money. You were able to load your bracelet by either cash or card.

Previously, they used a token system where you paid for tokens and each item cost a certain amount of tokens. Personally, I think the bracelet was quite easy.

There was the price list at the tent so you could estimate how much you were going to spend all night. They also had directions as well to make an account, and if you had any leftover money on your bracelet, how to process a refund.

We put around €65.00 on one bracelet, which was enough for my husband and I. We each got a glass of champagne, a snack each, and then some waters throughout the night. The waffles were simple, but delicious, and they were the perfect pick-me-up when I was starting to struggle a bit.

As far as alcohol goes, there is only champagne and beer available for purchase. I know some people are a bit upset that they should at least offer wine as well. It definitely would have been nice enjoying a glass of French wine while dancing at Château de Versailles.

If you can make it to the end of the Grand Masked Ball around 6:00 am, there is a light breakfast in the gardens around sunrise with coffee and croissants. Sadly, we made it until about 3:45 am.

Tips for Visiting

There are so many things keep in mind when attending this extravagant event. Here are some of my top tips to help you plan this event out and what to expect when you show up.

Plan Ahead

There is so much to plan ahead to make sure you have the time of your life. Tickets sell out fairly quickly, especially now that this event is becoming more well known around the world. In 2024, tickets sold out in about 3 days, with the tops tiers selling out on the first day within the first few hours.

Additionally, consider arranging accommodations nearby to fully immerse yourself in the experience. I recommend booking a place closer to Versailles for easier walking distance, safety when walking in the middle of the night, and especially if you’re on your feet and tired from dancing all night.

Costumes

The moment you buy your tickets, I highly recommend figuring out what you’re going to do for costumes. Some people have made theirs, which can take some time.

Others have purchased their own off Etsy or Amazon. You can definitely find a few 18th-century higher quality costumes, such as this stunning Baroque gown.

But if you’re traveling from afar and do not want to carry heavy suitcases filled with all your costumes, renting in Paris is easy. If you’re going to rent your costumes, please reach out immediately after ticket purchase to reserve it, so you have a bigger selection to choose from.

We personally rented from Sommier et Fils with much success. I reached out via their website contact form and they emailed me back. If you have WhatsApp, they will communicate with you that way by sending pictures of costumes they have in your size. We even rented our masks from them as well.

Other costume shops in Paris include: Fée Au Chateau, Déguisez-Moi, Costume sur Seine, L’Atelier des Vertugadins, La Compagnie du Costume, and Le Vestiaire.

One more tip to keep in mind regarding your dresses ladies: no long trains or skirts! With the tight spaces and crowds, your dress WILL get stepped on and may potentially rip!

Eat Before & BYOS (Bring Your Own Snacks)

One of the biggest pieces of advice to give is to make sure you eat a hefty meal prior to attending to last you through the night. If you purchase a ticket with the buffet included, the buffet is actually just small bites instead of large portions.

If you plan on purchasing food through the night, lines can get long and the snacks are pretty expensive for what you actually get.

So try to bring your own wine and snacks inside. Some years, they checked bags, but other years, they have not and people were able to sneak in some food and drink. I had a small meal bar in my purse without any issues.

I have heard of some people bringing in drinks under their outfits, so keep in mind to not have anything in metal to avoid setting off the metal detector wands.

Braving The Heat

It can be HOT in Versailles in June. With the heat, crowds, and a heavy costume, make sure to bring a folding fan to attempt to keep you cool throughout the night. Plus, they look cute during pictures!

Additionally, make sure to stay hydrated. If you plan on drinking champagne throughout the night, add in some water. Or better yet, bring some electrolytes with you! And don’t forget, you will have to purchase bottles of water.

Stay Late & Capture the Moments

Try to stay as long as you can all night. If you need a little power nap in the gardens or on a couch, don’t hesitate to take one, as many people did. Also consider bringing some type of energy drink or shot if you need a little boost. This is an experience of a lifetime, and something you shouldn’t miss!

Don’t forget to capture memories of the evening with photographs or sketches. The Grand Masked Ball of Versailles offers countless opportunities for stunning visuals that you’ll want to cherish for years to come.

Some people will even hire a photographer prior to the ball to get photos taken with the Versailles Palace in the background in their outfits.

Stepping into the Grand Masked Ball of Versailles is like stepping back in time to an era of elegance, extravagance, and unparalleled beauty. From the dazzling costumes to the decadent feasts, every aspect of the event is meticulously designed to transport guests to the height of French royal splendor. For those fortunate enough to attend, it’s an experience that will leave a lasting impression and create memories to cherish for a lifetime. I know I will!