Musée vivant du Cheval - Grandes Écuries du Château de Chantilly

Description

A true temple to the glory of the horse, this architectural masterpiece was built between 1719 and 1735 by Jean Aubert. Designed to house up to 240 horses and 500 dogs, it consists of two 70-meter-long naves surrounding a dome that rises to a height of 28 meters.
The Duke of Aumale’s own equestrian collection will enhance the splendor of the site. Starting in 1830, he renovated the Grandes Écuries to house the horses he acquired during his stay in Algeria. He demolished the stalls in the east wing to create a riding arena and had 5-meter-by-5-meter stalls rebuilt in the west wing.
At the same time, he established the racetrack: the first races took place in 1834, and the Prix de Diane was created in 1843. 300 years later, from the statue depicting him on his mare Pélagie at the West Entrance to the small black plaques bearing the names of his former horses, and including the Horse Museum: the Grandes Écuries bear the indelible mark of the Duke of Aumale.
The Grandes Écuries at the Château de Chantilly are home to 30 show horses and offer daily equestrian demonstrations and three shows a year!
%C0 Part art museum and part ethnological museum, its purpose is to highlight the importance of the relationship between humans and horses since the dawn of civilization. Nearly 200 objects and works of art: models, paintings, ancient stirrups, saddles, and harnesses...