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Once Upon a Ball
Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the Château de Courtanvaux (72)
©Léa Grandperrin
Step into history
At Courtanvaux Castle, Once Upon a Ball invites you to experience a magical, timeless night. A ball inspired by the series Once Upon a Time and the original fairy tales (Grimm, Perrault, Andersen, Carroll, and many others...) with their magic as well as their darker side.
From the afternoon onwards, some arrive early. Over an extraordinary tea time, the first moments take on the air of a waking fairytale. Then, as dusk falls, the château comes alive. The music rises, the salons reveal their different atmospheres. People dance, explore, and let themselves be surprised. As the evening progresses, the experiences multiply: encounters, performances, activities, memories to take home, shared moments. Everyone creates their own evening, a blend of elegance, mystery, and freedom.
And as midnight approaches, the magic intensifies. Will you be there to experience it?
Courtanvaux Castle
Built from the 15th century onwards and remodeled in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Château de Courtanvaux stands in the heart of a vast estate combining an English-style park, gardens and water features.
Often described as a castle of women, it owes its history to prominent figures such as Maman Quiou, governess to the son of Napoleon I, and Princess Marie Bibesco. Formerly owned by the Montesquiou-Fezensac family, related to the musketeer d'Artagnan, the place bears the imprint of a past where elegance, power, and intrigue intertwine.
For one evening, guests are free to explore the estate: gardens, pathways and grounds, then the suite of salons with their carved woodwork, oak parquet floors and refined fireplaces. The guardroom, the former kitchens, the service areas, the orangery and the carriage house offer contrasting atmospheres, while the more discreet chapel provides a suspended moment almost outside of time.
©Léa Grandperrin
The dress code: Fairytale Black Tie
To preserve the immersive atmosphere of the ball and allow every guest to fully immerse, outfits should be inspired by the world of fairy tales. Ideally, you should be able to answer one simple question: “What fairy tale inspired your outfit?” This is an invitation to dive back into beloved stories, discover new ones, and explore the richness of folklore from around the world.
Two possible approaches :
- Drawing inspiration from a specific fairy tale
Your outfit may be inspired by a particular tale, its universe, or its atmosphere (for example: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Donkeyskin, Hansel and Gretel, Alice in Wonderland, and many more).
- Drawing inspiration from a fairy-tale character archetype
An archetype is an iconic role found across many stories, such as the princess, the king, the fairy, the witch, or the knight. This approach offers great creative freedom while remaining true to the spirit of the ball.
Inspirations
Feel free to explore our Pinterest boards to spark your imagination and find inspiration.
Through the looking glass
Some of you will enjoy early access to the ball in a private and intimate setting. Upon arrival, you'll be immersed in a spectacular Tea Time, a journey to Wonderland! In the company of Alice and the Mad Hatter, let yourself be swept away in a whirlwind of fantasy and elegance. Blending the refined traditions of English High Afternoon Tea with the indulgence of French afternoon tea, this moment will suspend time. In a delightfully absurd spirit where nothing is quite as it should be, the Hatter will orchestrate a moment of pure, gentle madness. Expect the unexpected!
You will continue your journey with a premium photoshoot. Each VIP guest will be showcased in two photographic styles: luminous fantasy portraits and dark fantasy portraits. A visual exploration of the dualities that inhabit the greatest fairy tales.
Your entrance to the ball will be immortalized by an exclusive Glambot, designed by Bo Francisco . A cinematic souvenir worthy of the grandest red carpets. The "Beyond the Mirror" experience will conclude with an intimate meet & greet with a guest fantasy author.
Would you accept this dance?
Upon your arrival, Prince Charming will greet you. The embodiment of the fairytale archetype, a timeless figure, he will be the host of this ball. At his side, our dancers will be there to invite you and help you experience that moment we've all dreamed of at least once: being asked to dance. No need to know how to waltz. All you need is the courage to say yes.
After an initial part spent together, the evening will unfold in two stages, according to everyone's preferences. For those who wish to prolong the magic, the dancing will continue in the series of salons, to the rhythm of the waltz and elegance. For others, the energy will shift to another area of the castle, where a DJ set will invite them to move freely and experience the night in a different way.
An exceptional privilege...
La Cour des Rêves is honored to count DressArtMystery among its official partners. For this edition, ticket holders will receive an exclusive code, granting them privileged access to design or purchase their outfit. But there's more to come...
Shuttle
An official shuttle will be available from the TER train station in Vendôme city centre, upon prior reservation.
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A departure dedicated to Happily Ever After guests
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A departure dedicated to Once Upon a Time guests
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A common return
This service is offered as an optional extra (for a fee) and is limited in number. Please indicate your interest when booking so we can adjust the number of shuttles accordingly.
Accessibility
The Château de Courtanvaux is located in the commune of Bessé sur Braye, in the Sarthe (72).
Access by train, to Vendôme-Villiers sur Loir station:
✩ Paris: ~45 min
✩ Tours: ~30 min
✩ Bordeaux: ~1h25
Please note that there are 2 train stations in Vendôme. To reach the city centre from the TGV station, you will need to take the UP70 bus (10 minutes) or the shuttle (20 minutes).
From Vendôme train station (city centre), a shuttle will be available to take you through the woods to the gates of the castle.
By car
✩ From Paris: ~2h15
✩ From Tours & Le Mans: ~1 hour
✩ From Nantes: ~3h
Free parking on site.
Accommodation
For guests arriving by train, we recommend staying in the town center of Vendôme. Here are a few accommodation options:
Cit'hôtel Capricorne Vendôme
Logis hôtel le Saint-Georges
Hôtel Vendôme
Airbnb
Airbnb
For other guests, many accommodations are available around the château, including:
Domaine du moulin
Domaine de la Gavolerie
Camping Val de Braye
Logis hôtel d'Angleterre
Airbnb
Airbnb
Airbnb
