Let $M= G/��$ be a compact nilmanifold endowed with an invariant complex structure. We prove that, on an open set of any connected component of the moduli space ${\cal C} ({\frak g})$ of invariant complex structures on $M$, the Dolbeault cohomology of $M$ is isomorphic to the one of the differential bigraded algebra associated to the complexification $\cg^\C$ of the Lie algebra of $G$. To obtain this result, we first prove the above isomorphism for compact nilmanifolds endowed with a rational invariant complex structure. This is done using a descending series associated to the complex structure and the Borel spectral sequences for the corresponding set of holomorphic fibrations. Then we apply the theory of Kodaira-Spencer for deformations of complex structures.

15 pages, Latex, to appear in Transformation Groups