Dîner en Blanc de Meillant
Country Dinner in White at Château de Meillant — event currently on hold
Edition 2026 — event currently on hold
There is no edition scheduled in 2026 for this event. This page remains accessible to archive the history of the manifestation and will be updated if a new edition is announced.
About Dîner en Blanc
ℹ️ Event on hold since 2024. The Dîner en Blanc de Meillant is not currently taking place. Château de Meillant, which hosted the event in its park, has been closed to the public since autumn 2024 following the death of its owner, Marquis Aimery de Rochechouart de Mortemart. No date for the reopening of the estate or the relaunch of the event has been communicated to date.
An Elegant Dinner at Château de Meillant
The Dîner en Blanc de Meillant was held in summer in the magnificent park of Château de Meillant, one of the most beautiful castles in Berry located in the Cher (18). This medieval and Renaissance castle, classified as a Historic Monument, offered an exceptional setting for this gastronomic event inspired by the famous Parisian Dîner en Blanc. The concept was simple and elegant: participants, dressed entirely in white (dress code mandatory), gathered in the five-hectare English park to share a convivial and refined meal under the century-old trees and by the castle moats.
Gourmet Picnic and Elegant Tables
Unlike traditional dinners, the Dîner en Blanc de Meillant was based on the principle of a gourmet picnic: each participant or group brought their own meal, prepared with care and elegance. Guests competed in culinary creativity: refined cold dishes, fine charcuterie, selected cheeses, composed salads, verrines, sophisticated desserts, accompanied by champagne or fine wines. The tables, set up in the park, were decorated entirely in white: immaculate tablecloths, white crockery, candles, white flowers, elegant centerpieces. This chromatic uniformity created a magical atmosphere, transforming the castle park into an open-air dining room of rare elegance.
Musical Atmosphere and Conviviality
The Dîner en Blanc de Meillant was not just a meal: it was a truly convivial experience where elegance mingled with good humor. Soft background music (jazz, classical music, French songs) accompanied the meal, and some editions offered musical entertainment or DJ sets in the evening. In case of rain, the dinner was held in the guard room of Château de Meillant, a vast medieval hall whose vaulted ceilings and ancient stones added a heritage and romantic dimension to the event.
The Castle Today
Autumn 2024 was marked by the death of Aimery de Mortemart, owner of Château de Meillant, who had dedicated a large part of his life to the maintenance and enhancement of the estate. Since then, the castle has been closed to the public and the situation does not allow for any precision on a possible reopening. The official website of the castle is no longer accessible. The Dîner en Blanc, like all summer events organized on site, is effectively on hold. If a new edition were to be relaunched in the future, it would be announced via the castle's official channels once the estate's situation is clarified.
Dîner en Blanc — edition 2026
2026 edition cancelled — castle closed following the owner's death. The Dîner en Blanc 2026 at Château de Meillant is not taking place. The castle has been closed to the public since autumn 2024, after the death of Marquis Aimery de Mortemart, owner of the premises. No reopening or event dates have been announced for 2026.
ℹ️ 2026 edition cancelled — event on hold. No Dîner en Blanc is being organised at Château de Meillant in 2026. The estate has been closed to the public since autumn 2024, following the death of its owner, Marquis Aimery de Rochechouart de Mortemart. The official castle website (chateaudemeillant.fr) is no longer accessible and no information has been communicated regarding a possible resumption of summer activities.
Situation of Château de Meillant in 2026
Aimery de Mortemart, owner of Château de Meillant in Cher (18), passed away in autumn 2024. He had dedicated a large part of his life to the maintenance and enhancement of this 15th and 16th-century historical monument, opening the English park to cultural events, including the Dîner en Blanc. Since his death, the castle has been closed to visits and public events, awaiting clarification on the future of the estate.
If a new edition were to take place
The Dîner en Blanc de Meillant had seen several summer editions since 2022, based on the principle of a gourmet picnic in white attire in the castle's English park. If a new edition were to be relaunched, the announcement would be made via the castle's official channels (newsletter, website, social media) once the estate's situation is clarified. It is strongly recommended not to travel without prior confirmation directly from the organisers.
Programme Dîner en Blanc 2026
No 2026 program — the edition is not taking place (castle closed since autumn 2024).
Highlights Dîner en Blanc 2026
- 2026 edition cancelled
- Château de Meillant closed to the public since autumn 2024
- Death of owner Aimery de Mortemart in autumn 2024
- No reopening or resumption of activities announced to date
Prices Dîner en Blanc 2026
Practical information — Dîner en Blanc
ℹ️ Event on hold — castle closed to the public. Château de Meillant no longer hosts visits or public events since autumn 2024. All practical information below corresponds to past editions and is not applicable until the estate has been officially reopened.
Practical Information (Past Editions)
Location
The dinner took place in the park of Château de Meillant, 18200 Meillant (or in the guard room in case of rain).
Access
- By car: from Bourges (40 km away), take the D976 towards Saint-Amand-Montrond, then the D92 towards Meillant. Parking at the castle.
- By train: Saint-Amand-Montrond SNCF station (8 km away), then taxi.
Hours (Past Editions)
- Reception: from 7:30 PM
- Dinner start: 8:00 PM
- End: around midnight
Dress Code
- Mandatory white attire from head to toe
- Elegance expected (dresses, shirts, trousers, white hats)
To Bring
- Gourmet meal (cold dishes, drinks, desserts)
- White folding table and white chairs
- White tablecloth, white crockery, white decorations
- Candles (LED lamps allowed)
Prices (Past Editions)
- Participation around 10 to 15 € per person, online registration mandatory (limited places).
Contact
- Official castle website: currently offline.
- Before any travel, check the status of the estate and the holding of any new edition with the Sud-Berry tourist office or Meillant town hall.
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Where does it take place — Dîner en Blanc
Parc du Château de Meillant
Rue du Château, 18200 Meillant