Cluny National Stud (Haras national de Cluny)
A national stud founded under Napoleon, built on the site of Cluny's great abbey church.
- Heritage site
- 1 h 07 from Beaune
- Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Cluny
€240one way from Beaune with a private driver
At a glance
- Official website
- equivallee-haras-cluny.fr
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 1 h 07 by road (87 km), €240 one way for the whole car.
Or add it to our full-day wine tour plus two hours, €700.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the place
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.
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.
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.
Planning your visit
Tips for 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.
Around here
What to combine with Cluny National Stud on the same day, nearest first.
Questions
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.
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.
Sources
Cluny National Stud with a private driver
€240 one way from Beaune · up to 4 guests