The Living Museum of the Horse

The Living Museum of the Horse occupies fifteen rooms within the Great Stables of Chantilly and displays approximately two hundred objects including paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and equestrian gear. The rooms range widely across art history and functional equipment, offering a broad view of how horses shaped human culture.

The Great Stables were built between 1719 and 1735 as one of Europe's largest equestrian buildings, designed to house 240 horses. Constructed for Prince Louis-Henri of Condé, the structure reflects the importance of horsemanship in the 18th century.

The collection shows how different peoples understood their bond with horses through objects and artworks across centuries. These pieces reveal how central horses were to art, crafts, and daily life across the world.

The museum provides visitors with interactive terminals, family-friendly information panels with quizzes, and regular equestrian demonstrations throughout the day. These interactive features help make the content accessible and deepen the visit experience.

The site maintains about thirty performing horses that take part in three major equestrian shows each year. These live performances blend the historical setting with contemporary horsemanship displays.

Location: Chantilly

Official opening: June 6, 1982

Address: 7-9 rue du connétable 60500 Chantilly

Phone: +33344273180

Website: http://domainedechantilly.com/fr/accueil/grandes-ecuries

GPS coordinates: 49.19364,2.48011

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:00