Curious to see where the royal horses lived? You’re standing before the Grande Écurie du Roi. It’s a magnificent building steeped in history. The Grande Écurie du Roi, or Great Stable of the King, stands proudly on the Place d’Armes.
Imagine Louis XIV. He decided his court and government should move to Versailles. This created a need for structures like the Grande Écurie du Roi. Jules Hardouin-Mansart was the architect. An army of workers built it in record time. It only took three years from 1679 to 1682. People were amazed by its size and majesty. Its location facing the Palace showed how important horses were. Horses symbolized power in the old days.
The Grande Écurie du Roi is one of two similar buildings. The Petite Écurie sits symmetrically on the other side. André Le Nôtre designed the avenues some years before. The buildings are the same size. Each has a main courtyard ending in a semicircle. These open to a covered riding hall. The riding hall facades feature impressive sculptures. Look closely at the Grande Écurie’s arcade tympanum. You will see three prancing horses. Pierre Granier and Jean Raon created these.
The Grande Écurie housed the King’s riding horses. They were trained for hunting and war. The Grand Écuyer de France was in charge. He oversaw the King’s stud farms. He also controlled equestrian academies. He cared for the horses ridden by the King and princes.
Under Louis XIV, the royal stables were huge. About fifteen hundred people worked here. There were squires, pages, and coachmen. Postillions, footmen, and grooms were present. Also chair porters, stable boys, and farriers were employed. Saddlers, spur makers, almoners, musicians, and veterinary surgeons worked here. It was a whole world. In the 18th century, the royal stables housed over two thousand horses.
Today, the Grande Écurie du Roi houses collections. It is also home to institutions. The École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Versailles is here. A site for the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France exists here. The Académie Équestre Nationale du Domaine de Versailles also calls this home.
Be sure to visit the Galerie des Carrosses. It displays amazing coaches. The Grande Écurie replaced the King’s stable. That stable became the Queen’s stable. The emblem on the pediment was removed between 1793 and 1794. The army occupied the stables from 1854.
In 2017, the Palace of Versailles hosted an international show jumping competition. It took place in the courtyard of the Grande Écurie. The buildings are arranged around five courtyards. The main courtyard features a semicircular colonnade. Two symmetrical wings border it. The King’s Stable sign was installed on the gate in 2016. This marked the reopening of the Gallery of Coaches. So, as you leave, remember the power and prestige once housed within these walls.