Dressage Training in Chantilly France

Ending Up in Chantilly- Interesting Back Story

Back in 1998, one of Vicki's training clients in California wanted to take a two week riding trip through the Loire Valley of France.  Realizing that a trek like this would test her riding skills, she asked Vicki to come along and train her while on trek, between overnight stays in private Chateaus.  Sounds nice huh? 

Sorry to lead you along, but I will leave that story for Vicki to tell.  The outcome of her fateful trip however, was Vicki's desire for me to see France, and for here to enjoy it off the clock :-)

A couple years later, we did make our trip to France, exploring the Loire Valley via van tour (easier on the back I am sure), and visited the various tourist stops such as the Versailles Palace, the city of Paris, and other typical destinations such as the Louvre and other museums.

Chantilly: Most Memorable Part Trip

We visited one of the most interesting horse places we have ever been- the town of Chantilly, and in particular the Living Horse Museum aka Musée Vivant du Cheval.

View my photo slide show of the stable & museum

(if you put your mouse over the image when viewing the slides you can click next & back controls)

The Living Horse Museum is inside an elaborate stable, which is adjacent to both the Chateau du Chantilly, and a grass horse racing track located in Chantilly France.  Does Chantilly lace ring a bell?  Hint- the song "Chantilly lace and a pretty face?"  Okay, I dating myself here.  I am not that old.

Easy Access

The Chateau de Chantilly, the grass horse racing track, and the Grand Stables (houses the museum), are all within close walking distance from one another.  We took the train from Paris which took about 40 minutes, and we were able to walk from the train station to the Chateau quite easily.

Grand Stable Facts

• The Grand Stables was built 1719
• Louis Henri, duke of Bourbon, Prince of Condé, built the stable because he believed he would be reincarnated as a horse, and so he would need a stable fitting his rank.
• The stables capacity is 240 horses and 500 hounds.
• The museum has 31 rooms which include exhibitions on art, farrier equipment, tack, carriages, toys, and other things.
• The stable holds live equestrian performances inside and one can arrive by train and dine while watching a show.
• Stable horse trainers must be proficient in basic dressage to wear the red trainers coat.
• There was a ballet school upstairs when we visited- not sure if it is still there or not.  They mix ballet dancers with riding in performances.
• They hold 3-5 dressage and basic horsemanship presentations each day (different from evening/dining events).
• In 1968, President Nixon visited Chantilly, and was blown away,  commenting that it was much more interesting than Versailles.
• One of the James Bond movies was filmed here.  A View To A Kill- 1985.  I'll have to rent that.
  

Visit the official Living Horse Museum web site.