11.7K
If you plan to visit France this year and expect to stop by at Versailles while you are here, I would highly recommend you crossing the street from the palace and stepping into the …. stables. They are inhabited by a horseman who is a magician, a true artist.
Bartabas stands alone, proud, aloof, enigmatic, he seems to communicate more easily with horses than with men, but the shows he put together have enchanted audiences for years as they marvel at the horsemanship and the art.
He also produces shows in the north of Paris, under the name Zingaro, at his own ‘circus’ ground, but for nearly 10 years he has settled into the stables at Versailles, and the result is magical.
Many proficient riders would like to be part of his team, but the selection process is ruthless, and the working conditions are unusual. When the new riding teams are formed they find themselves riding for hours, but also taking lessons in fencing (to improve their reactivity); drawing (to help them understand the muscles of their horses) and singing (to improve their self confidence)!
Great attention is paid to aesthetics in Bartabas’ productions. The textiles and the colours of the costumes are stunning, and of course the horses themselves breathtaking. They perform to music, with or without riders, against a backdrop^of the high ceilings and creamy coloured stones of the old palace buildings.
You can find details of the shows here, bear in mind that if you can’t get into an evening performance, the morning rehearsal sessions are wonderful too.
[blank]
[blank]
27 comments
Those pictures are so gorgeous! Of course, you happen to not take a bad photo but there are opportunities everywhere you look!
Those horses are so beautiful. I've never heard of this and will definitely put it on my list of something to do next time I'm in Paris. Thanks.
I am coming to Versaille in June for a wedding. The horses and stables look fantastic and I love reading your blog, it is really putting me in the mood for France!
Sharon !
Merci pour ce post ! Il faut absolument que j'aille voir Bartabas ! Le décor du manège et des écuries sont superbes !
Céline.
I loved Versailles when I visited France, and you have just given me another reason to visit there again.
This is spectacular.
Dear Sharon,
I grew up around horses (more specifically/accurately, the not-exactly-elegant Welsh Mountain ponies my godfather raised), but I never thought much about them until my parents took us to see the Royal Lippizaners Show in the very early seventies. I was about 8 or so. I think that was one of the first times they'd (the Lipizzaners, not my parents) been brought to America. I was thrilled. Obviously, I still recall that evening. I recall trying, once we'd gone back home, to get one of our ponies to do anything VAGUELY like what we'd seen those horses do.
Welsh mountain ponies, of course, don't do anything you want. Generally, they just bite and kick and run up vet bills.
Just this past Spring, however?… I spent three mornings (not that I'd planned to do so) sitting, pretty much alone, in the gallery surrounding the horse-training buildings behind the bullring at Ronda. It was absolutely beautiful….watching the trainers work for hours and hours with those Andalusian horses. Predictably enough, I skipped the bullfight, but I'll be going back to watch the horses in training.
thanks for the lovely photographs,
David Terry
http://www.davidterryart.com
Dd and I have just been admiring these images and also visited the site, thank you- would love to see this event..maybe Colette x
What beatiful horses dahhling!
WOW – it is all surreal! How beautiful. Thank you so much for giving me a mini-vacation this morning!
Have a great weekend.
Beautiful post and pics…. I need a trip to France soon!
Smiles~
C
I so LOVE these Equine ballets! I've been to one here in So. Cal., Cavalia. It was a tear to the eye, beautiful show. One day, I'll convince my French BFF to take me to Paris as my guide!
This is so fascinating, I would never have known! It would indeed be a special treat to see these majestic animals perform!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Wow! I didn't know about this – 100 thank yous!
I love horses, they have so much gration and elegance! Stunning photos!
Great info – can't wait to go there. Definitely part of the Paris plan! Thanks, Sharon.
We were lucky to see them and it still is a memory I will always treasure simply amazing and so beautiful
Thanks for a pretty reminder of a great day
xxoo
Pam
We saw the show about five years ago. You are correct, it was stunning.
Absolutely wonderful – horses are so special.
I wish I had known of this when I visited Versailles a few years ago.
A magical experience!
Shane
just like the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, I was lucky enough to see their last rehearsal of the year before heading off for their summer rest one year, absolutely breath-taking and beautiful
Didn't know about this place but of course the French have such a stables!
A interesting man with a fascinating approach to his work. I have parted company with horses since fracturing my spine as a result of a riding accident, but I love to watch them in action and appreciate excellent horsemanship. I will definitely add this to my "must do in France" list.
Bonne semaine.
P.S.Been away from my computer this week – time is too tight.
I love horses I love France and I love your blog!
Glorious horses, and what a setting to watch them in !
I've been to the stables in Vienna, but these look just as wonderful. I noted the dates for performances went through May. Do they take the summer (August) off like the rest of Europe? We will be sure to see the stables when we are in France this summer. Thanks for the tip! BTW, I made your poached pears last night…yummy.
Vicki – this looks like a wonderful experience. I'm sorry I missed when we visited Versailles in 2010. The highlight there for me was the Petit Rianon.
Beautiful! Our daughter was lucky enough to attend one of his shows when she lived in France.
Kat
Meine Guete, was für wunderschoene Tiere. Gleichzeitig wirken sie sehr edel, sehr verletzlich und sehr stolz. Ich finde es schoen, dass die Kostüme der REiter so dezent sind, daruch beachtet man die Pferde viel mehr. Und um die soll es in der Show ja gehen.
Liebe Gruesse
Jacqueline
I have had the opportunity to attend to estate auctions and was lucky to be the successful bidder on a pair of candle holders and a very ornate silver tray https://testmyspeed.onl/