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:

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User Reviews

Augustin Onaciu (12 months ago)
Beautiful scenery, very preserved castle Plenty of parking places Natural landscapes are amazing

steve howie (3 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 (4 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 (5 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 (6 years ago)
Beautiful Chateau...the palace of Versailles is inspired by this palace

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The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

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