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Origin and history

The Grand Ecurie of Versailles, built between 1679 and 1682 under the direction of architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, was part of the Royal Ecuries with the Petite Écurie. Located on Armes Square, it housed the king's hunting and war horses, as well as a ride and school of pages reserved for the military nobility. His organization reflected the hierarchy of the court, with the Grand écuyer of France at his head.

Under the Old Regime, the Great Ecuria was a prestigious place where the young nobles were formed, admitted on proof of nobility dating back to 1550. It also housed the École de Versailles, the cradle of French learned horse riding (1680–1830). Several prominent squire, like the brothers of Abzac, exercised there. After the Revolution, the royal emblem of the fronton was removed (1793–94), and the building was occupied by the army from 1854.

Ranked a historic monument in 1913 for its facades and grids, the Grande Écurie had various uses: occupation by the Wehrmacht in 1940, installation of a DCA post by the Luftwaffe in 1943, and the headquarters of the General Staff of the 2nd Armored Division (1979-1998). Today, it houses the Galerie des Carrosses (reopened in 2016), the Bartabas Equestrian Performing Academy (since 2003), and the Art Trades Campus "Heritage & Craftsmanship of Excellence" (2021).

Architecturally, the building is organized around five courtyards, with a hemicycle colonnade and symmetrical wings. The rectangular ride, transformed into a theatre, illustrates its connection to horse riding. The facades of stone and brick, the sculptures of the gate, and the skylights of the attic make this a remarkable example of French classicism. The music of the Great Ecuria, with its trumpet and oboe bodies, played a key role in royal ceremonies until the 18th century.

The Great Ecurie also symbolizes the evolution of the equestrian and musical arts under Louis XIV. His musicians, from dynasties such as the Hotteterre and the Philidor, helped to modernize the wind instruments. The site, which is now part of the National Estate of Versailles, combines historical heritage with cultural activities, such as the international jump in 2017.

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