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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The haras de Saintes, created in 1846 by royal ordinance under Louis-Philippe, was a public establishment dedicated to the selection and improvement of equine breeds. Designed by architect Victor Fontorbe, it included a central pavilion, stables, a marshalry and a nine-hectare park with winding alleys, paddocks and a quarry. The first buildings were delivered in 1850, and the whole was completed in 1854. The site housed up to 100 stallions at the beginning of the 20th century, and its activities included support for professionals in the equine sector, training and conservation of traditional trades such as marketers.

The haras kept a collection of hippomobile cars and played a conservatory role for local races such as the poitou baudets or mulassier poitevins. In 1993, its buildings and park were included in the additional inventory of historic monuments. After 170 years of existence, the stud closed in 2018 and was sold in 2019 to a private entrepreneur, Philippe Védiaud, who plans to install a restaurant, a business incubator and housing. Despite the damage caused by Hurricane Martin in 1999, the park retains centuries-old trees such as cedars and plane trees.

The origin of the national studs dates back to 1665, under Louis XIV, with the mission of providing robust horses to the army. The haras of Saintes were part of this tradition, although its creation came almost two centuries later. After the Revolution, the Empire restored this administration, and a first deposit was established at Saint-Jean-d'Angely in 1806 before being transferred to Saint-Maixent. In 1846, Saintes finally obtained the establishment of the stud in their city, marking its regional importance in equine breeding.

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