The biggest dinosaur of them all sets up shop at Château de Dampierre this summer

Vulcan is not the name of one of Spock's Star Trek counterparts, but rather that of the largest dinosaur ever sold in the world! This Apatosaurus, formerly known as Brontosaurus, measures a whopping 21 meters in length. And here's a good surprise: from July 13 to November 3, 2024 , you'll be able to admire it from side to side in the Orangerie du Château de Dampierre, before it goes up for auction. After that, you'll need to raise the small sum of around 3 to 5 million euros to be able to get your hands on it on November 16.

Discovered in Wyoming in 2018, this Apatosaurus, appraised by Professor Eric Mickeler, has more than 80% of its native bones, a rarity in the world of paleontology. The Château de Dampierre, masterpiece of Jules Hardouin Mansart and André Le Nôtre, offers a unique setting to admire this giant fossil.

Château de Dampierre, in the Vallée de Chevreuse, is already renowned for its history and magnificent gardens. This summer, it becomes a must-see for dinosaur and natural history enthusiasts. The estate, less than 45 minutes from Paris, is easily accessible via the RER B train to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, followed by a short 7 km journey.

The 150-million-year-old Apatosaurus, nicknamed Vulcan, was discovered in the USA after three years of painstaking excavation. This specimen is one of the most complete ever found, with an intact skull - a rare occurrence for this type of dinosaur.

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Château de Dampierre is also a place rich in history. Owned by the Dukes of Luynes from 1663 to 2018, it was acquired by Franky Mulliez, founder of Kiloutou, who undertook a massive restoration of the site. Visitors can now explore the château's interiors, discover its sumptuous decor, including a fresco by Ingres, and stroll through the forest park on horse-drawn carriage rides. The château has also served as the setting for such famous films as Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette" and Benoît Jacquot's "Les adieux à la reine".

In parallel with the Vulcain exhibition, a virtual tour of the cabinet of curiosities of the 8th Duke of Luynes will be available. This cabinet, currently under renovation, contains over 6,000 fascinating pieces. Pascal Thévard, General Manager of the Domaine de Dampierre, emphasizes that this exhibition is perfectly in keeping with the curious spirit of the former owners, who were passionate about paleontology.

Please note that the Domaine de Dampierre-en-Yvelines is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5:30pm, and at weekends, bank holidays and school vacations from 10am to 6:30pm. Admission is €10 for adults, and free for under-18s accompanied by an adult. Don't miss this unique opportunity to discover Vulcan, the largest dinosaur ever auctioned, in an exceptional historical setting.