The soft golden light of the chandeliers, the sound of the frills of the petticoats twirling in a ballroom, mingling with the laughter and the music... Who has never dreamed of diving back into history and participating in a period ball?

One Friday or Saturday per month, the magnificent Hôtel de la Marine and the Carnets de Bals association make this fantasy come true, and make us relive the most beautiful period ceremonies. This Saturday, February 3, the theme, inspired by the costume ball given on February 12, 1866 at the Hotel by the Marquis de Chasseloup-Laubat, Minister of the Navy, in the presence of big names like Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, is the “Process of Nations”. On the program: a parade of costumed women adorned with their most beautiful ornaments, surrounded by a procession, symbolizing France and the different continents: Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

Attend and participate in the dances in the Court of Honor for free, and in the state rooms if you have a ticket. If you don't have a costume, don't panic: they are not obligatory... But this is a golden opportunity to dress up in your finest attire!

If you cannot be present for the Procession of Nations, the Hôtel de la Marine will once again offer this journey through time on March 8 with a Renaissance ball, on April 26 with an Empire ball, while the theme of ball on May 25 will be Second Empire. Ready to waltz?