This is in my beloved former home of Versailles. Needless, to say more about this wonderful royal town of my belle France, just read the monuments that have proven essential in the history of France. Versailles is the capital City of the Yvelines dept 78 in the Île de France region, Let me tell you about the Grande Ecurie of Versailles, part II !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The city of Versailles once did a survey on visitor and found out that to their surprise not me, 98% of visitors only see the Palace/Museum of Versailles. Pity when the Domaine of Versailles outside its walls of the palace, hameau, trianons, orangerie etc is much larger and with wonderful things to see. One fascinating sight monument gorgeous awesome and have written before, but this is older pictures not in my blog that should be.
The Grande Ecurie (stables) are right in the Place d’Armes, in front of the castle, between the avenues of Saint Cloud and Paris. Constituting with the Petite Ecuries (see post), the Royal stables that gave work to over 1000 persons under king Louis XIV. They were built under the direction of the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart and completed in 1682. With a merry-go-round, it sheltered the king’s hunting and war horses.
The buildings are organized around five courses, these are: the large courtyard bordered by a hemicycle colonnade and two symmetrical wings, The two average courses supervised at the rear, The two small side courses called “manure course”, Behind the large portal, there was a rectangular merry -go -round, which is today the theater of the National Equestrian Academy of the Domaine of Versailles.
The galleries are simple at the
Grande Ecurie, while the Petite Ecurie (see post) has double galleries separated by the colonnades. Galleries’ ceilings are vaulted.The visible walls of the castle are made of stone, the others less visible are red brick with stone facing. The building has rectangular crusaders upstairs and tuning tower. Sculptures are present on the pediment, in the eardrum and the jambs of the large portal. Lateral entries overlooking the avenue de Saint-Cloud and the avenue de Paris. In 2016, on the occasion of the reopening of the Galerie des Carrosses,(see post) the brand écuries du roi or stables of the king was installed on the grid. A wonderful all together building , a must to see while in
Versailles.
Behind the large gate, there was a rectangular carousel, which is now the theater of the
Versailles Equestrian Academy of the Domaine de Versailles.
Founded in 2003 by Bartabas, within the Grande Écurie, the Versailles Equestrian Academy is a unique ballet corps in the world. It is a high-level higher education establishment that combines Haute École dressage work with various artistic disciplines such as fencing, dance, singing and Kyudo (Japanese archery). Located just opposite the palace of Versailles for the Sun King (Louis XIV) who wanted to see his horses from his room, the stables were built between 1679 and 1683 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. At the time, nearly 1,500 people worked there. In the 18C, nearly 2,000 horses resided here. Today, the royal stables have lost their original function but they remain in operation thanks to the Equestrian Academy. On the top floor, you have a magnificent room with a wooden floor and large mirrors, it is the dance room where fencing lessons are also practiced. Right next door, you have the music room which is a small room dedicated to singing lessons. Here, everything that happens there has a meaning. It is also a school of life. The riding school of the Versailles Equestrian Academy is somewhat reminiscent of Italian theaters with its stalls, balconies, boxes and even its shell for acoustics. It is a setting of wood and mirrors delicately lit by Murano glass chandeliers. This is where the shows take place but also the training sessions.
The official Château de Versailles on the Grande Ecurie : https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/great-stables
The event La Voie de l’Ecuyère or The Way of the Horsewomen on the equestrian show from the Versailles tourist office : https://www.versailles-tourisme.com/la-voie-de-l-ecuyere.html
The Île de France region tourist office on the equestrian show at the Grande Ecurie : https://www.visitparisregion.com/en/equestrian-academy-of-versailles
There you go folks, another fascinating page on my beautiful and good city of Versailles, you ought to spent more time away from the palace. And the wonders of the Royal City of Versailles.Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Grande Ecurie of Versailles, part II as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Published by pedmar10
I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world.
My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting.
Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers
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