--- title: "Haras national de Cluny: National Stud, Park and Shows" description: "National stud founded by Napoleon in 1807 on the site of Cluny's great abbey church. Park free April to early November. Private driver from Beaune." url: https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/haras-national-de-cluny lang: en updated: 2026-09-30 generated: 2026-10-08 image: https://www.cote-privee.com/og/things-to-do/haras-national-de-cluny.png --- # Cluny National Stud (Haras national de Cluny) > Cluny National Stud: a national stud founded under Napoleon, built on the site of Cluny's great abbey church. Cluny National Stud is in Cluny (Saône-et-Loire), 1 h 07 by road (87 km) from Beaune. Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour · Private driver from Beaune: €240 one way for the whole car, up to 4 guests. Beside the abbey, the Haras national de Cluny has been devoted to horses since the Napoleonic era. Its stables and courtyards stand on the site of the great abbey church, partly built with stone from its demolition. The park is open to walk through in season, and equestrian shows are staged in summer, autumn and at Christmas. ## Key facts - Type: Heritage - Where: Cluny · Saône-et-Loire - Location: 65 km south of Beaune · Saône-et-Loire - Coordinates: 46.4356, 4.6599 - 1 h 07 from Beaune - Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour - Cluny - Official website: [equivallee-haras-cluny.fr](https://www.equivallee-haras-cluny.fr/) - From Beaune: ≈ 1 h 07 · 87 km - €240 one way from Beaune with a [private driver](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver) - Or add it to our [full-day wine tour plus two hours, €700](https://www.cote-privee.com/wine-tours/full-day). ## Getting there - [Private driver from Beaune](https://www.cote-privee.com/private-driver): 1 h 07 by road (87 km), €240 one way for the whole car. Coming by train or plane? [Transfers from stations and airports](https://www.cote-privee.com/transfers) Estimates per vehicle for up to 4 guests, tolls included. Your price is confirmed when you book. ## History The stud was created in 1807 at the instigation of Napoleon I, as a depot for stallions. At first about fifty horses were kept in the old abbey stables. From 1820 new buildings rose on the site of Cluny III, in the shadow of the Holy Water bell tower, and they were enlarged in 1880. The stud was at its height around 1900, when it kept some 150 horses. From the 1960s, the stud turned from breeding towards leisure riding and competition. In 2018 its land and buildings were transferred to the town of Cluny. Today the site is run by Equivallée, a public partnership that promotes horses and riding in Cluny, with a riding school, a busy programme of national competitions and seasonal events and shows for visitors. ## What you will see Walk freely through the park and courtyards, where information panels explain the history of the stud and the life of its horses. The stone stables frame views of the abbey's surviving bell tower. In summer an equestrian show is staged on site, followed by autumn and Christmas productions. The tourist office also runs guided tours presenting Cluny as a horse town, from the stud to the competition grounds. ## Planning your visit The park is open for free visits from early April to early November, Tuesday to Sunday, except during events; check the official website for opening times and show dates. It lies right beside the abbey, so it fits easily before or after your abbey visit. Booking show tickets in advance is recommended in summer. ## Did you know? As a stallion depot, the stud never bred its own foals. Its stallions were born elsewhere and arrived from all over France, usually at around three years old. ## Around Cluny National Stud What to combine with Cluny National Stud on the same day, nearest first. ### Villages - [Viré-Clessé](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/vire-clesse) (14 km away): Two neighbouring villages of the Haut-Mâconnais, joined in one appellation for generous Chardonnay. - [Pouilly-Fuissé](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/pouilly-fuisse) (18 km away): Burgundy's great southern white, grown beneath the limestone cliffs of Solutré and Vergisson. - [Saint-Véran](https://www.cote-privee.com/villages/saint-veran) (21 km away): Fresh Chardonnay from villages that wrap around Pouilly-Fuissé, beneath the Roche de Solutré. ### Châteaux - [Château de Lourdon](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-lourdon) (3 km away): The ruined hilltop fortress of the abbots of Cluny, where the monks once hid their treasures. - [Château de Boutavent](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-boutavent) (6 km away): A spur-top castle that guarded the Grosne valley for the lords of Brancion, then for Cluny. - [Château de Berzé-le-Châtel](https://www.cote-privee.com/chateaux/chateau-de-berze-le-chatel) (6 km away): The largest medieval fortress of southern Burgundy, built to shield Cluny, with terraced gardens and its own wine. ### Things to do - [Cluny Market (Marché de Cluny)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/marche-de-cluny), 1 km away: A Saturday morning market in the streets of Cluny's medieval town, right beside the abbey. - [Cluny Abbey (Abbaye de Cluny)](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/abbaye-de-cluny), 1 km away: The remains of the largest church in medieval Christendom, heart of a monastic order that spread across Europe. - [Tour des Fromages](https://www.cote-privee.com/things-to-do/tour-des-fromages-cluny) (1 km away): A tower of the abbey wall of Cluny, with 120 steps up to the best view of the abbey town. ### Events - **Friday 4 – Sunday 20 December 2026 (Confirmed by the organiser)** · [Marchés de Noël de Cluny](https://www.cote-privee.com/events/marches-de-noel-de-cluny): Weekend Christmas markets in the historic Écuries de Saint-Hugues, in the heart of Cluny. (Christmas · Cluny) ## Questions about Cluny National Stud ### How far is Cluny National Stud from Beaune? Cluny National Stud is about 1 h 07 from Beaune by road (87 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €240 for the whole car, up to 4 guests. ### How long does a visit to Cluny National Stud take? For the visit, allow 30 minutes to 1 hour. ### When is Cluny National Stud open? Opening days and times change during the year, so check the official website (equivallee-haras-cluny.fr) before you go. Your driver can plan the day around them. ### Can a private driver take us to Cluny National Stud? Yes. Your driver collects you in Beaune or at your hotel in an electric Polestar 2 (up to 4 guests), waits while you visit and plans the rest of the day with you. The driver speaks English, French, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. → [Full-day wine tour plus two hours, €700](https://www.cote-privee.com/wine-tours/full-day) ## Book - [Book a driver here](https://www.cote-privee.com/book?service=driver&place=sight:haras): €240 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests ## Sources - - - --- Canonical page: