The largest dinosaur to be discovered at Château de Dampierre, back in the Jurassic period

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 pleasant surprise: from July 13 to November 15, 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 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.

Contrary to the images shown of the famous historic specimen in the château courtyard, it's actually in theOrangerie that you'll be able to admire it from this Saturday, July 13. We needed a room high enough to accommodate this unusual dinosaur and protect it from the elements. You'll be able to see it alongside a cast and a real Mosasaurus fossil belonging to Honoré Théodaure d'Albert de Lyunes and the current owner, Francky Mulliez.

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It may seem an unusual installation, but the late Duc de Luynes and Francky Mulliez shared a passion for archaeology and objets d'art. Honoré Théodoric d'Albert, 8th Duke of Luynes, transformed the Domaine de Dampierre into a center for archaeological research, setting up a laboratory, an impressive library and a natural history museum. He traveled to Italy, Greece, Egypt and the Dead Sea for his studies, while collecting fossils in the Vallée de Chevreuse and beyond. For his part, Francky Mulliez, owner of the château since 2018, collector and philanthropist, has enriched the Dampierre collection with unique objects, including mosasaur fossils, consolidating his link with the estate and continuing the scientific and artistic tradition of the Duc de Luynes.

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 on weekends, public 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.

Vulcain, the largest dinosaur auctioned this Saturday, November 16 in Dampierre-en-Yvelines
The Château de Dampierre-en-Yvelines is set to host an unprecedented event: the auction of Vulcan, a 150 million-year-old specimen of Apatosaurus, the largest dinosaur ever offered for sale. Scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024, this exceptional auction promises to exceed its estimate of between 3 and 5 million euros. You still have until November 15 to admire it before it leaves for its buyer. [Read more]