Did you know that you can dress up in Baroque costumes, stroll through the Gardens of Versailles, and then party the night away in the very spaces where King Louis XIV threw his own lavish parties for the French nobility? Because you totally can!

The Palace of Versailles puts on several special events both inside and outside the palace throughout the year though a group called Château de Versailles Spectacles. One of these events is Le Grand Bal Masque, or the Grand Masked Ball, which has now been an annual tradition at Versailles for 13+ years.

The Grand Masked Ball is known for a few things. First: you must dress in period-appropriate clothing and have your face masked. Second: This is Baroque in outfits only; the ball starts at 11:30 p.m. and goes until dawn, and the music is usually of the EDM variety!

I went to the Grand Masked Ball for the first time in 2025, and I want to share everything you need to know about going, in case all the social media videos have made you add this one to your bucket list.

(And, spoiler alert: I think it's 1000% worth it!)

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What is the Grand Masked Ball at Versailles?

Le Grand Bal Masque is an annual event at the Palace of Versailles in France that takes place each year usually sometime in June. (In 2025, the ball was on June 21st.) It's not your typical “ball,” though; it's really more of an overnight dance party. Think: French nobility at da club.

People dress in Baroque-inspired costumes and elaborate face masks and dance the night away to DJ sets of EDM music.

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Where is the Grand Masked Ball?

This one is important! The Grand Masked Ball is *at* the Palace of Versailles, but not technically *in* the Palace of Versailles. The ball takes place in the Orangery, which is a building connected to the palace and gardens (it would have been where the royals grew things like citrus trees).

If you've seen photos/video of people inside the palace itself – like in the Hall of Mirrors – they either went to a different event entirely (like Fêtes Galantes), or they booked an additional ticket for a “Royal Serenade” tour inside the palace before the ball (this is what we did!).

The actual ball gives you access to the palace gardens in the evening, and then the Orangery and a smaller attached garden from the start of the ball until dawn.

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Grand Masked Ball ticket tips

The Grand Masked Ball has gotten really popular thanks to TikTok and Instagram, so you really do need to scoop up tickets when they go on sale. (For the 2025 ball, tickets sold out within a couple of hours.)

So how do you get tickets for this coveted event? In the past, tickets for the Grand Masked Ball usually went on sale towards the beginning of the year (usually in January). With the event gaining popularity in recent years, though, they actually put the 2025 tickets on sale in November 2024. So I would expect 2026 tickets to go on sale before the end of 2025.

You need to buy tickets through Château de Versailles Spectacles directly, and the best way to get info about when they're going on sale is to subscribe to the Spectacles newsletter (sign up here; you can just tick the “Events” box).

You can also follow the event on Facebook, and/or join the Versailles Grand Masked Ball Facebook group, which is an invaluable source of info about the event.

How to get tickets for the Grand Masked Ball

It's not exactly the Great War of getting Eras Tour tickets (IYKYK), but you do need a bit of luck to get tickets during the regular sale. The sale involves a virtual ticket queue, and the website does sometimes glitch out or give people problems. Plenty of people who want tickets do not get them.

Here are some tips for ticket sale day:

1. Create an account on the Spectacles website before the sale day. Otherwise, you'll have to do it as part of the check-out process, and it'll add extra time.
2. Get into the ticket queue early (to get in the queue, you'll go to the Spectacles website and click the “Book” button). The person in my group who was able to purchase tickets got into the queue about 10 minutes before the ticket sale time, but you probably want to get in even earlier, as we literally got some of the last tickets available.
3. Have more than one credit card ready to go, and access to your phone and email (some people with US-issued credit cards had some trouble using them, and other people reported needing to get a verification code to their phone or email before finishing the check-out process).

There ARE chances to get tickets after the initial sale, either through Spectacles releasing extra tickets, or through re-sale. The Versailles Grand Masked Ball Facebook group usually sets up a process for group members to resell/buy tickets at face value in a way that's safe, so if you're looking for resale I would start there.

How much does the Versailles ball cost?

There are 3 tiers of ticket for the Grand Masked Ball:

• Simple – Just entry to the event; €150
• VIP – Access to a special VIP area with seating, restrooms, and a small buffet, plus 2 included glasses of champagne and free coat/bag check; €250
• Fantastique – Reserved table seating, full buffet, unlimited champagne, free cloakroom, and dedicated event parking; €550

Is VIP or Fantastique worth it?

You might not really have a choice of tickets once you get through the queue, but the Simple ticket is the most popular. My group of 5 actually ended up with VIP tickets.

For us, Fantastique tickets would not have been worth it, as we weren't driving to the event, spent most of the night dancing instead of sitting (in fact, I only sat down once for maybe 5 minutes), and half of us didn't even drink much champagne.

The VIP tickets, on the other hand, *might* be worth it for some people. The dedicated VIP area was less crowded, had tables for sitting plus these big mats covered in pillows for napping, and had its own bar and restrooms that rarely had any lines. The 2 glasses of champagne was also nice!

The things I didn't like about our VIP experience included the line to get in, which was longer and slower than any other line for the event, and the fact that once we got in we had to wait in yet more lines to check bags and put money on a wristband for buying additional drinks. I also was bummed that they didn't restock the VIP buffet past about 3 a.m.

If I went again, I might still try for VIP (they do seem to listen to feedback and improve this section every year), but also think the Simple tickets would be fine!

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How to get a costume for the Versailles ball

Once you have your ball tickets, it's now time to figure out your costume! Dressing in Baroque-style costumes and masks is required for this event, and they will indeed turn people away if they don't make an effort.

The three options for getting a costume for this event include:

• Renting a costume from a costume shop in either Paris or Versailles (the most popular option)
• Buying a costume new on a site like Amazon or Etsy
• Buying a costume secondhand

Renting a costume for Le Grand Bal Masque

Most people who go to the Grand Masked Ball rent their costumes, which is the most economical option and means you don't have to travel with a ballgown in-tow. I will admit that this is much easier if you already live in France, though, and can get yourself to a costume shop within a few weeks of buying your ticket for the best selection.

For my group of 5 ball attendees, 4 of us opted to rent costumes. My friend Kat and I actually went to Paris in February (we already had other travel plans in Europe) and were able to visit multiple costume shops to try on and reserve costumes for the 4 of us who needed them.

The main shops in Paris that people rent from are Sommier & Fils (11 Bd Saint-Martin), La Compagnie du Costume (50 Rue Ardoin), Académie du Bal Costumé/Au Clown de la République (two locations, on company), Costume sur Seine (50 Rue Ardoin), and Aux Sept Merveilles (144 rue Lafayette).

Rental options near Versailles include Les robes de Sophie.

Many places in Paris require an appointment for trying on/renting costumes. My friend Kat and I tried two different shops in Paris, and we ended up renting from Sommier & Fils (we didn't need an appointment there). One of the owners, Stephane, took SUCH good care of us and deserves all the praise in the world. We tried on many dresses for 4 different people, and got what we needed!

You can expect to pay anywhere from €100-€200 to rent an outfit for the ball. Most places also require a security deposit when you pick up your outfit (ours was €500 per dress, which was refunded on the spot when we returned the dresses).

And yes, shops rent out outfits for both women and men!

Buying a costume for the ball

The other option is to purchase a costume for the Grand Masked Ball. One girl in our group did this, as did plenty of people in the Versailles Facebook group.

My friend Ashley purchased a gown from MiniDonuts on Etsy, and it came out fabulous! This is a more expensive option – dresses start at around $350 – but the maker can create a dress to fit your exact measurements, and they're all beautiful and good quality. (Ashley transported it in a vacuum-sealed bag so it didn't take up her entire suitcase, and then steamed it in Paris.)

Many people also purchase dresses from sites like Amazon. There are many options if you search for “Baroque dresses” or “Marie Antoinette dresses” that range from $35-$150. Obviously you'll get the quality you pay for, but overall most of these options are going to be just fine for this one-night event!

Some Amazon options that look nice include this one, this one, this one, this one, and even this one. A few people bought dresses from Amazon and then altered/embellished them with extra bows, rhinestones, capes, etc.

For men, buying a costume is generally a little cheaper. There are options on Amazon (like this one and this one) for under $75.

Other costume bits to buy

If you purchase a dress of any sort, just remember that you'll also want to purchase the big skirt to go under it. Don't go for a round hoop skirt, though; the ones that look the most period-accurate are the “pannier petticoat” skirts like this. (If you rent a costume, a pannier skirt will likely be included with your rental.)

You'll also need a mask! Some shops rent these, too, but personally we all chose to buy our own. Etsy is a good place to look for masks, or you can buy a plain one and decorate it yourself to match your costume.

Things like jewelry, hats, hair accessories, and small bags are other things the ladies might want to purchase, though you don't HAVE to. Three essentials I personally wouldn't go without include a phone lanyard (preferably with a built-in wallet) so you can wear your phone all night, a power bank so said phone lasts all night, and bike shorts with pockets you can wear under your dress if you want to skip bringing or checking a bag.

To wig or not to wig

The Baroque period was one of wigs in France, so you'll definitely see plenty of people – both men and women – sporting wigs at the Grand Masked Ball.

Obviously wearing a wig is totally up to you, but keep in mind that this event takes place in June – meaning the weather can be very unpredictable. In 2024, it was chilly the day of the ball. In 2025, Paris was in the midst of a heat wave where the high temp that day was 94 degrees F (34 degrees C). I personally cannot fathom wearing a wig like that during a heat wave!

We all did fancy up-dos with things like butterflies and birds in our hair, and I think we looked great.

What about shoes?

For Le Grand Bal Masque, the one thing you're allowed (and, honestly encouraged) to fudge on when it comes to historical accuracy are shoes. This event is a long one (especially if you get to Versailles early to walk around the gardens), so comfort is absolutely the name of the game when it comes to footwear.

Now, did I see women (and men) in heels and men in period footwear? Yes. But the majority (and especially the majority of women wearing longer dresses) were all wearing sneakers! My whole group wore sneakers. I even saw one guy wearing Converse that he'd attached some bows to.

You absolutely are allowed to wear sneakers to this event.

And keep in mind that there is a bag/coat check inside the Orangery. If you want to wear nicer shoes for some photos in the gardens before the event, pack some sneakers and swap your shoes once the ball starts. Believe me, your feet will thank you by the morning!

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What to expect on the night of the Grand Masked Ball

Okay, so now the most important part: the ball itself!! What is it like? What should you expect? Can you actually stay up all night?

Here's what my group's day looked like in the 24 hours surrounding the ball:

• 11:30 a.m. – Brunch
• 2 p.m. – Start getting ready (we did our own hair and makeup)
• 5:40 p.m. – Transfer booked from Paris to Versailles
• 7 p.m. – Arrival at Palace of Versailles
• 7:30 p.m. – Tickets for Royal Serenade tour inside the Palace of Versailles
• 8:30 p.m. – Photos in the gardens at Versailles
• 9-11 p.m. – Versailles gardens (getting snacks, watching the fountain show, and fireworks)
• 11:30 p.m. – Entry into the ball (entry took about an hour of standing in various lines)
• 1 a.m.-5:30 a.m. – Party time!
• 5:30 a.m. – Walk over to the Ballroom Grove for breakfast
• 6 a.m. – Leave Versailles

Getting ready for the ball

We got ready on our own for the ball, with one person in our group mostly doing all the hair up-dos (thanks, Megan!). You're wearing a mask most of the night, so none of us went crazy with makeup.

We stayed in Paris, and decided we didn't want to deal with metros and trains to get to Versailles and so pre-booked a transfer through Welcome Pickups. Welcome Pickups mostly does airport transfers, but you can book them for anything! We booked a nice big van, and the driver picked us up right where we were staying and dropped us off right outside the gates of Versailles.

We did not pre-book a transfer back to Paris, which ended up being a mistake. (We had to call Bolts the following morning, and it wasn't a comfortable ride for any of us.) If I could do that part again, I would have pre-booked a transfer back to Paris around 6:15 a.m. You'll exit the event on Rte de Saint-Cyr on the side of the palace, right across the street from the Pièce d'Eau des Suisses.

Pre-ball activities

Included in your ball ticket is access into the Gardens of Versailles starting at 8:30 p.m. for the Night Fountains show (which includes music, lighted fountains, and a fireworks display just before 11 p.m.).

We also booked tickets to the “Royal Serenade,” a special tour offered on summer weekends that includes a quick tour through parts of the Palace of Versailles (including the Chapel Royal, the Hall of Mirrors, and some of the royal apartments), with musical and dance performances in each space. For *some* of these tours, you're allowed to wear costumes – and of course the night of the ball was one of the costume-approved nights.

We booked our Royal Serenade tour for 7:30 p.m., and it ended right around 8:30 p.m. when we could enter the gardens with our ball tickets.

Once in the gardens, we got some photos taken by a professional photographer (we went with Rachel Calvo, who offers mini sessions both outside the palace and inside the gardens before the ball), and then explored for a bit before the fireworks show just before 11 p.m.

Just keep in mind that if you wander far into the gardens, you'll need to walk back to the Orangery to enter the ball.

Entry to the Grand Masked Ball

Entering the ball was perhaps the worst part of the night! You have to walk down a huge staircase to the Orangery, but the VIP entrance line actually started partway up those stairs. If you didn't notice this, however (and it was easy to miss, as there were no signs), then you had to walk all the way back up the stairs to get in line.

We eventually had our tickets scanned and got our VIP wristbands, and then got to enter the Orangery building itself, from which EDM music was already pumping. It's quite the sight when you walk in, with its tall arched ceilings and lighting effects.

We then got our first champagnes, checked out the VIP area, and then had to stand in another long line to load money onto different bracelets in order to pay for additional food/drinks through the night. (I'm not sure why there wasn't a dedicated table to do this at within the VIP area – there really should be!)

We were finally fully ready to party by about 1:30 a.m. – and at that point it didn't seem difficult at all to make it to breakfast at 5:30 a.m.

Le Grand Bal Masque overnight party

A DJ plays EDM music all night, from the start of the ball until the very end with no breaks. The whole interior of the Orangery turns into a big dance floor. My friend Ashley and I planted ourselves close to the elevated DJ booth where it wasn't too crowded, and danced for hours!

Every 30 minutes or so, different performers came out to do quick sets on a large stage set up in the middle of the orangery. Mostly these were dancers, but there were also some acrobats. These “spectacles” were a really cool addition to the night, and you could see them from anywhere inside the Orangery (and even from certain spots outside, too).

Speaking of outside, the outdoor parts of the Orangery are also fully open to ball-goers. There were people scattered all over the gardens, either strolling through the cooler air, or sitting (or even laying) in the grass. They had a huge bonfire set up, too, plus some bar and food stands.

The whole Orangery smelled of orange blossoms, and every time we went out there we were constantly pinching ourselves – because how cool is it that we had access to all these spaces at Versailles?!

I cannot overstate enough how much FUN I had at this event! Everyone was having a good time and pretty respectful, and I didn't see *too* many overly inebriated people. I had my 2 glasses of champagne and then switched to water and iced tea, and honestly was feeling pretty good most of the night!

After-ball breakfast

Around 5:30 a.m. (just before sunrise), an announcement was made for everyone to make their way back outside to the Ballroom Grove (Bosquet de la Salle de Bal), which is actually an outdoor venue that King Louis XIV had created specifically for outdoor balls!

The Ballroom Grove had another DJ plus some lights in the fountains, and they serve a small “breakfast” here of pastries and (bad) coffee. It's not going to satisfy any hunger (and actually they ran out of pastries before everyone even got outside), but it's pretty cool to end the night in a space that was literally intended for this.

Afterwards, everyone is ushered out and the event is over.

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Where to stay for the Versailles ball

You've got two choices here, each with pros and cons. You can either stay in Versailles (further from the shops where you're most likely to rent costumes, meaning you'll have to transport those to/from Paris, but closer to the event itself), or you can stay in Paris (many more hotel options and closer to rental shops, but you'll have to get yourself to/from Versailles).

We opted to stay in Paris, but if I did it again, I would probably try to stay in Versailles for ease of getting to the ball and back into a bed afterwards.

IF you're going to stay in Versailles, you'll want to book as far in advance as possible in order to have the most hotel options. Some Versailles hotels to check out not far from the palace include:

• Le Louis Hotel Versailles Château
• Hôtel Les Lumières
• Hôtel La Résidence du Berry
• Hôtel du Jeu de Paume

If you're staying in Paris, I'd recommend choosing a hotel in a neighborhood you'll enjoy spending time in. To get to Versailles in full ball attire, I'd personally recommend pre-booking a transfer or taking a rideshare (Uber works in Paris, though locals use Bolt more often), though you CAN get there using public transport for less money.

For all my Paris hotel recommendations, check out my 5 days in Paris itinerary!

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Is the Grand Masked Ball worth it?

Listen, this isn't a cheap event. NOT including travel costs to Paris or accommodation costs there. Here's how my costs broke down *just* for the Grand Masked Ball:

• VIP ball ticket: €250
• Dress rental: €158
• Money spent on hair accessories/jewelry: €65
• My share of transfers to Versailles: €50
• Professional photos: €100
• Money for drinks/snacks at the ball: €50

The Grand Masked Ball cost me nearly €675 ($785) when you add all of that up. You can of course save some money by getting a Simple ticket instead of VIP, taking public transport to/from the event, relying on friends or strangers to take photos of you, and not drinking very much at the ball itself.

But honestly I think it was worth every penny we spent!

It's not everyday that you get the chance to party inside an actual palace, or wear a costume like this, or in general get to make these sorts of memories.

I would happily pay to do it all over again!

READ NEXT: How to Take a Versailles Day Trip from Paris (6 Different Ways to Do It!)

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Let me know: is the Grand Masked Ball at Versailles something you'd like to experience?