LES ÉCURIES ROYALES
Go there and contact
Opposite the Château de Versailles, the Royal Stables are the largest construction site ever built to house horses. Comprising the Petite and Grande Écurie, they were built by Jules Hardouin-Mansart along the Place d'Armes, which they close off in a strategic location. The place thus connoted the importance of the horse under the Ancien Régime, and was home to the royal cavalry from 1683 onwards.
As soon as it opened, the Grande Écurie was placed under the orders of the Grand Écuyer de France, who looked after the royal mounts and supervised the equestrian academies. As for the Petite Écurie, it was run by the King's Premier Écuyer, in charge of other mounts and fancy vehicles.
During the reign of the Sun King, the Royal Stables was one of the most important departments, employing some 1,500 men: squires, pages, coachmen, postilions, footmen, carriage boys, horsemen, chair bearers, grooms, blacksmiths, saddlers, spursmiths, chaplains, musicians, hippiatric surgeons and more. For over 2,000 horses grouped together at the Royal Stables.
Today, the Royal Stables are home to a number of institutions: the École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Versailles, a site of the Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France, and Bartabas' Académie équestre nationale. Visits include the magnificent carriage gallery in the Grande Écurie, and the sculpture and casting gallery in the Petite Écurie.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on LES ÉCURIES ROYALES
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners
