We follow our guide through the various halls. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s a big racecourse. And what logistics! We pass through the weighing room, then head for the stables to admire the beautiful stallions. The morning has flown by, and yet the day has only just begun.
Img 9115 © Jf Hamard Vittel
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At all speeds
At the Vittel racecourse
In the starting blocks
We arrive in front of the racecourse on this sunny Sunday. Like jockeys, we wait patiently for our turn to enter the building. Today is racing day! So we’re going to take the opportunity to visit the racecourse backstage, and put ourselves in the shoes of seasoned riders.
Horse racing
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Img 0600 © Jf Hamard Vittel
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Make-up
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Img 0592 © Jf Hamard Vittel
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All about the Vittel racecourse
In step for the meal
Now it’s time for a well-deserved break. Under the ever-warming sun, we chose a shady spot to set up our plaid and enjoy a picnic. We didn’t need to leave the racecourse: a refreshment bar, a champagne bar and a sandwich shop met all our needs. While we opted for an alfresco lunch, others headed for the restaurant.
Trotting to the grandstands…
It’s now time to reach the grandstands. But before that, we make an obligatory passage through the presentation ring. It’s the horses’ last stop before accessing the track.
We admire the equines, all muscle, who are chomping at the bit to get going. The jockeys take final instructions from their trainers, while around us, the seasoned punters take the opportunity to fine-tune their predictions. For our part, we were a little cautious and preferred not to bet… At least not officially.
And gallop for the race!
In the stands, we are won over by the fervor of the public. The horses are about to take off! The make-up workshop is in full swing, with children coming to have their faces painted. Today there’s also a hat contest. The ladies are quick to don hats imitating those worn by 18th-century ladies.
Here we go! The horses gallop off, galvanized by the cheers of the punters. We can’t hear each other, between the galloping and the shouting. But we let ourselves be carried along by this frenzied crowd, and we even join in the dance.
The horses start to gallop, galvanized by the cheers of the punters.
Horse racing
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The racecourse... and much more besides
Gentleness after intense emotions
Casino Cups
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That’s it, the races are over. I won my bet, so Monsieur had to buy me a glass at the champagne bar. Next time, I’ll really bet, and who knows? Maybe I’ll have the flair again!
In the meantime, to recover from this beautiful day, rich in discoveries and sensations, we decide to go admire a sunset over the city, before finding something to fill our stomachs…
Natural and Vittellizing Experiences
The racecourse may have seduced us, but throughout our stay, we were able to live in contact with nature. For ever more natural and rejuvenating experiences.
