Musée Vivant du Cheval – Grandes Ecuries du Château de Chantilly

A veritable 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 comprises two 70-metre-long naves around a 28-metre-high dome. The equestrian spirit of the Duc d'Aumale enhanced the premises.

In 1830, he refurbished the Grandes Écuries to house the horses he had acquired during his stay in Algeria. He tore down the stalls in the east wing to create a riding arena and had boxes measuring 5 m by 5 m rebuilt in the west wing.

At the same time, he gave birth to the racecourse: the first races took place in 1834, and the Prix de Diane was created in 1843. 300 years later, from the statue of him on his mare Pélagie at the west entrance to the small black plaques bearing the names of his former horses and the Musée du Cheval, the Grandes Écuries bear the unfailing imprint of the Duc d'Aumale. The Grandes Écuries at the Château de Chantilly are home to 30 show horses and offer daily equestrian entertainment and three shows a year!

Discover the Living Museum of the Horse, inaugurated in June 2013 in the 15 rooms of the Cour des Remises of the Grandes Écuries. Both an art museum and an ethnological museum, its aim is to reveal the importance of the relationship between man and horse since the dawn of civilisation. Nearly 200 objects and works of art are on display, including paintings, prints, sculptures, manuscripts and equestrian equipment.

Since 2022, by developing its educational function, the Living Museum of the Horse aims to make its collections accessible to as many people as possible: riders, novices, families and the curious. The visitor route has also been adapted to meet the needs of families and schools.

The first refurbished room presents Europe's most beautiful stables: 300 years of history, giving visitors a sense of the place they are discovering.

The secrets of saddle-making are revealed in a fascinating museography that pays tribute to the saddler's trade.

The room dedicated to the history of venery will also be redesigned in January 2023.

Visitors can now also discover the history of Chantilly's equestrian shows through an exhibition of these magnificent costumes designed by Monika Mucha and Michel Blancard.

• Specific thematic animation
• Children's workshop

• Guided tour: no
• Free visit: yes

Tour languages

• French
• English

Equipment

• Restaurant

Services

• Bar, cafeteria, tea room, snack bar
• Bathroom
• Shop
• Restaurant
• Toll parking

Means of payment

• Bank card
• Bank checks
• Holiday vouchers
• Cash

Information medium

Demonstration

Visit booklet

Video