The Grand Stables

In 1719, Louis-Henri de Bourbon, the 7th Prince de Condé, who believed in metempsychosis, thought he would be reincarnated as a horse, he therefore commissioned the architect Jean Aubert to design and build stables befitting his rank.
186 meter long stables were built. Bordering the Racecourse they are a masterpiece of 18th century civil architecture. This building could house up to 240 horses and 500 hounds.

Hunting was an important activity in Chantilly and one came from Paris and Versailles to hunt and to hold lavish fêtes.
In 1830 the Duc de Bourbon bequeathed his Grand Stables to the Duc d'Aumale who in turn bequeathed them to the Institut de France in 1884.
This explains why the Grand Stables have been so well kept for a century.
In 1982 Yves Bienaime revived the stables by creating the "Living Horse Museum ".