Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Sichon Equestrian Stadium, located in Vichy in the Allier department, is a sports equipment specialized in equestrian sports, built in the 4th quarter of the 19th century. It was designed to host horse racing competitions, including jumps of obstacles, after the transfer of the South-East competition of the French horse racing company (SHF) since Lyon in 1885. The plot, located on the edge of the Sichon River, has been built with a 600-metre track and stands designed by architects Albert Thomas and Henri Décoret. The stadium, initially rented and acquired by the SHF in 1896, also served as a velodrome and hosted various shows.

During the Second World War, the stadium played multiple roles: refugee camp in 1939 for people fleeing north and east of France, shelter for mobile reserve guards from 1941 to 1944 under the Vichy regime, and then sewage camp in 1944 under the Liberation Committee. Persons such as Xavier Vallat, Commissioner General for Jewish Affairs, were detained there. After the war, the stadium was restored thanks to an allowance of four million former francs paid by military stewardship, allowing the re-run of races in 1947.

In 2018, the stadium underwent a major modernisation, with the replacement of its grassy track — one of the last in Europe — with a fibrous sand track, in order to improve its durability and use. The works, costing EUR 2.3 million, were subsidized by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the Allier department and the Éperon Fund. The stadium, managed by Vichy Community since 2017, is now a key venue for international competitions such as the Vichy Jumping International, created in 1924, and the Grand National. In July 2022, it was partially listed as a historical monument for its rostrums, porch and entrance pavilions.

Architecturally, the stadium is distinguished by its monumental three arched brick porch, adorned with cast iron horse heads, and its two-level stands, combining wooden structures and metal frames. The site, declared of community interest, now hosts about 100 days of activities per year, combining equestrian competitions, sports courses, sports events and cultural events. Its history reflects both its anchoring in the French equestrian heritage and its adaptation to contemporary issues.

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