At all speeds

At the Vittel racecourse

A day to (re)get back in the saddle

Today, we’re taking you to the Vittel racecourse. Built on the initiative of Jean Bouloumié, this racecourse, part of which is a listed historic monument, comes to life for the summer. While the main attraction remains the races, behind-the-scenes tours, hat competitions, workshops and other activities delight young and old alike.

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.

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.

All about the Vittel racecourse

The racecourse was inaugurated on July 15, 1904. The main grandstand dates from 1909.

The weighing and betting building and the main stand are classified as Historic Monuments.

Find out more if you’d like to come and enjoy the entertainment. They depend on the race calendar.

The architect Fernand César designed the entire infrastructure, which is listed as a Monument Historique.

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.

The racecourse... and much more besides

Gentleness after intense emotions

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.