City of Chantilly - City of History. Let us tell you. Chantilly. capital of the horse. Historic guide

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1 City of Chantilly - City of History Let us tell you Chantilly capital of the horse Historic guide

The city of Chantilly is known worldwide as «Capital of the horse».

Let us tell you this history and diversity of equine and equestrian activities proposed by the city.

the absolute reference in the Fox Hunting (deers, does, roe deers).horses and hunters daily walk through the forest during the hunting expeditions organized by the princes.

2 The city of Chantilly is known worldwide as «Capital of the horse». Beyond the Epinal s picture and the tourist slogan, for the city and its inhabitants, it is a historical, economical, social and urban reality. Let us tell you this history and diversity of equine and equestrian activities proposed by the city. History in few words Horses, hunting and the forest of Chantilly From the Renaissance with the Montmorency family, then to the 17th century and the 18th century with the Condé family, Chantilly is the absolute reference in the Fox Hunting (deers, does, roe deers).horses and hunters daily walk through the forest during the hunting expeditions organized by the princes. Kings and Princes all over Europe come to hunt at Chantilly and send their Master of fox hounds to copy the hunting of Condé. The Great stables of Louis- Henri de Bourbon-Condé, a genuine monument dedicated to the horse glory, testify the splendor of the Ancient Regime. Built by the architect Jean Aubert between 1719 and 1736, a masterpiece of the classical architecture. By their size and décors, the Great Stables are considered as the most beautiful in Europe. They could accommodate 240 horses and 500 hounds. J.-L. Aubert RMN

The birth of horse racing The 19th century marks a turning point in the equine development of the city. In 1814, the monarchical restoration was accompanied by the return of the emigrants in France.

In 1833, by a stroke of luck, four friends on the way back from a hunt improvised a race on the grass filed which separated the forest and the Great Stables.

3 The birth of horse racing The 19th century marks a turning point in the equine development of the city. In 1814, the monarchical restoration was accompanied by the return of the emigrants in France. In England, they are keen on equine sports and dream about building a racecourse as the one of Ascot. In 1833, by a stroke of luck, four friends on the way back from a hunt improvised a race on the grass filed which separated the forest and the Great Stables. The winner, Monsieur de Normandie, attracted by the quality of the site and the elasticity of the lawn thought to have found the perfect place to organize races and hastens to praise the place. Very quickly, we create the League of encouragement for the improvement of the horse breeds (future France Galop). The following year, May 15, 1834, the first races were organized thanks to the support of The Orleans family, the site owner and strong supporter of equine sports. In few years, the racecourse was developed, stands were built, the Prix du Jockey Club (1836) and the Prix de Diane (1843) were created according to the models : Epsom Derby and British Oaks. RetBPresse APRH A city shaped by race The training stables invade very quickly the city centre around the racecourse and soon we must create a new district which is fully booked for it: the Bois Saint- Denis. The equine activity is then the main resource of the city that knows a great development and become tourist resort, attracting gamblers and high Parisian society. The arrival of the train to Chantilly facilitates this expansion and is accompanied by the construction of beautiful villas and luxury hotels. Undisputed masters in equine area, trainers, jockeys and English lads settle in Chantilly and form a large English community dominated by the great dynasties of trainers.

4 Chantilly and the horse nowadays Today, Chantilly is the biggest and most functional race horse training facilities in Europe. Extended on the entire Community of Communes (Chantilly area), it represents hectares devoted exclusively to the thoroughbred boarded in Chantilly. It provides the elite of the gallop with: 4 training grounds with an area of 400 hectares, 120 hectares of turf tracks, 120 km of sand tracks (including 47 km of forest rented from the Institut de France ) and 12 km of obstacle tracks. These facilities require daily work by France Galop that employs 70 permanent workers and 30 seasonal workers. In addition, the equine activity represents more than direct and indirect works (lads, jockeys, and trainers, suppliers of grains and fodder, saddlers, farriers, veterinarians, carriers...). Over 80 trainers are now installed in the community of Communes. Maucuit Lecomte Bolstered by its repute, each year, the city hosts national and international jumping events. Similarly, the Polo Club of Chantilly settled in 1995 in Apremont (a bordering commune of Chantilly). Chantilly, it is also the AFASEC which trains professionals of the equine area and the Musée vivant du cheval which perpetuates the great equestrian tradition with performances under the dome of the Great Stables. In total, there are about horses, racing, equestrian sports, shows and recreation that live in the Chantilly area. Chantilly is the perfect example of a historic development, economic and built heritage, through the centuries, in total symbiosis with the horse world.

5 Places to visit The Racecourse Set in the 1840s, the Chantilly Racecourse is located in the heart of the city and occupies nearly 60 hectares. Bordered by the great stables, the castle, the forest and the historical district of Chantilly, the racecourse presents, besides this prestigious setting, a flexible soil that made its reputation. The stands built in 1881 on Honoré Daumet plans and listed as historical monuments have been restored and modernized in the early 2000s. Property of the Institut de France, managed by France Galop. Specialized since its creation in the flat races (galloping), the racecourse hosts each year, from April to October, since more than 170 years, nearly 200 races including two of the most prestigious in Europe: the Prix du Jockey Club, reserved for males of 3 years old (the first Sunday of June) and the Prix de Diane which is considered as the price of elegance for women to compete in originality with their hats. 40,000 visitors, whether race goers and gamblers or just curious, visit the racecourse each year. APRH Les Aigles ground Created in 1898, Les Aigles ground has an area of 120 hectares offering 33kms of sand tracks, 2 artificial fiber sand tracks, turf tracks and one round for each trainer. Located in the town of Gouvieux, it is connected to the Bois Saint-Denis district, by a dug underpass to facilitate the transit of horses without disrupting the flow of the road that separates them. Forty trainers are installed all around the towns of Gouvieux and Chantilly and benefit from this equipment. Every morning, between 6:00 am to 1:00 pm hundreds of horses gallop on this site.

The Bois Saint-Denis district Located at the edge of the forest of Chantilly, and close to the training tracks, The Bois Saint-Denis district is since the end of the 19th century, the neighbourhood

Cradle of STH (Equine Transport Company), district of racing stables, the Bois Saint-Denis still has today a brick architecture and beautiful homes of Anglo- Norman style reminiscent of this British

Street names evoke the Orleans family, promoter of the races at Chantilly in the 1830s (avenue Marie-Amélie, avenue of Chartre ) as well as the Chantilly horse racing area (place Marcel Boussac ).

6 The Bois Saint-Denis district Located at the edge of the forest of Chantilly, and close to the training tracks, The Bois Saint-Denis district is since the end of the 19th century, the neighbourhood of Chantilly equestrian life. Cradle of STH (Equine Transport Company), district of racing stables, the Bois Saint-Denis still has today a brick architecture and beautiful homes of Anglo- Norman style reminiscent of this British community installed in Chantilly) from the 19th century. Street names evoke the Orleans family, promoter of the races at Chantilly in the 1830s (avenue Marie-Amélie, avenue of Chartre ) as well as the Chantilly horse racing area (place Marcel Boussac ). Road signs, sandy tracks, special surface on the streets everything in The Bois Saint-Denis district is suitable for horses. The district, still today, hosts 17 trainers who are responsible of the biggest global cracks. The area also houses the AFASEC residence where the students from the school le Moulin à Vent live, which trains future professional racing. To preserve its heritage and economic activity, the city of Chantilly, in its Local Urban Development Plan, declared some parcel in the Bois Saint- Denis as equine zones. Thus today these parcels are protected and reserved for the equine activity. R&BPresse

The Grand Stables and Musée Vivant du Cheval Architectural masterpiece of the 18th century, the Great Stables of Chantilly is one of the finial of the Chantilly heritage.

In addition to collections of objects dedicated to the horse area, the museum presents all year demonstrations of dressage but also fabulous equestrian shows given under The Dome.

R&BPresse R&BPresse R&BPresse The Polo Club The equine vocation of Chantilly favored the establishment of a Polo Club in Apremont, in 1995, on a ground of 250 hectares property of the Institut de

7 The Grand Stables and Musée Vivant du Cheval Architectural masterpiece of the 18th century, the Great Stables of Chantilly is one of the finial of the Chantilly heritage. Their carved decoration is a hymn to the horse and Fox hunting. Since 1982, they host the Musée vivant du Cheval which attracts visitors each year. In addition to collections of objects dedicated to the horse area, the museum presents all year demonstrations of dressage but also fabulous equestrian shows given under The Dome. The riding masters, under the artistic direction of Sophie Bienaimé, perpetuate the great tradition of dressage and offer performances combining technical prowess, staging and costumes. R&BPresse R&BPresse R&BPresse The Polo Club The equine vocation of Chantilly favored the establishment of a Polo Club in Apremont, in 1995, on a ground of 250 hectares property of the Institut de France. With 500 games per year, it is the first polo center in continental Europe. It provides 9 grounds and hosts 250 permanent horses and 500 during the season. School, training center, organizer of tournaments, the Polo Club is also a place open to the visitors as everyone can attend for free games which are held every weekend.

Chantilly belongs to the national network of towns and regions of Art and history ( Villes et Pays d art et d histoire ).

It guarantees the competence of the tour guides and organizers of the heritage and the quality of their actions.

Pontoise benefit from the name city of art and history (Ville d art et d histoire ).

activities for schoolchildren. Find the program at City Hall, at the tourist office and on www.city-chantilly.fr, www.chantilly-tourisme.

fr Information, booking group tours/visits at : Tourist Office of Chantilly Open Monday to Saturday (9:30 am to 12:30 am, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) 60 Avenue du Marechal Joffre 60500 Chantilly 03 44 67 37 37 Websites: www.

8 Chantilly belongs to the national network of towns and regions of Art and history ( Villes et Pays d art et d histoire ). The Ministry of Culture and Communication attributes this label to the communes that animate their heritage. It guarantees the competence of the tour guides and organizers of the heritage and the quality of their actions. Today, a network of 150 cities and regions offers its know-how all over France Close to Amiens, Laon, Noyon, Saint-Quentin, Soissons and Pontoise benefit from the name city of art and history (Ville d art et d histoire ). Throughout the year, Chantilly «City of Art and History» offers guided tours, workshops for children, activities for families and educational activities for schoolchildren. Find the program at City Hall, at the tourist office and on or www. espritdechantilly.fr Information, booking group tours/visits at : Tourist Office of Chantilly Open Monday to Saturday (9:30 am to 12:30 am, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) 60 Avenue du Marechal Joffre Chantilly Websites: Mail: accueil@chantilly-tourisme.fr Educational visits, cultural and educational projects : Sarah Gillois Moderator Heritage Mail: s.gillois@ville-chantilly.fr Photo credits: Martine Savart Conception cover graphic: LM. Communicate - Design: City of Chantilly - Printing: E. Grille, Chantilly

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