The Grand Stables were built between 1719 and 1735 by Jean Aubert for Louis Henri de Bourbon, and are an extraordinary piece of architecture — a curved stone building 186 metres long, capable of housing 240 horses and more than 500 hounds. They are among the finest examples of 18th-century French stable architecture anywhere.
Today they house the Musée du Cheval, a living museum of horsemanship. Thoroughbreds are stabled here year-round and trained on the grounds, which also serve as headquarters for the French national racing industry. The daily equestrian shows demonstrate classical horsemanship, dressage, and liberty work in the grand central arena beneath the painted vault.
The stables are included in the combined domain ticket or can be visited separately. Arrive early to catch the morning exercise on the training tracks outside.