What extraordinary contraptions!

Le Pin National Stud boasts an exceptional collection of horse-drawn vehicles, most of them listed as historical property.  These unique items can be admired by the visitor during a guided tour of the National Stud.

They represent a true witness of life in the 19^th Century, of the customs and traditions of the day.  Every detail depicts the comfort and safety of travellers, their social status and their routine.

Coachbuilding, a know-how “à la française”

Today, heritage in terms of horse-drawn carriages and coaches represents 4,500 vehicles across Europe, from the regal State Coach down to the basic Dogcart.  Of such wealth, 1,300 carry the name of a French coachbuilder.

Coachbuilding encompasses one of the most prestigious areas of French craftsmanship and techniques.  Every detail is studied, each one of them representing a work of art.  Horse-drawn carriages are remarkable by the wealth and luxury of their materials, the beauty and splendour of their decor, their extraordinary size and, above all, their exceptional image inspiring motion and life, such as a moving stage or a rolling theatre, having the aim to amaze the crowds.

The art of coachbuilding was for a long time linked to the artistic context of the era, evolving in unison with the current fashionable decor.  French carriages have adopted a significant position on the international market, due to their beauty, their quality, their luxury and their perfection.  Such supremacy “à la française”, having no other rival in the sector of industrial art, has thrust national coachbuilding techniques into a model position that many foreign builders seek to copy!

Extract from the book entitled, “Voitures, Chevaux et Attelages du XVIème au XIXème Siècle, sous la direction de Daniel Roche" [Carriages, Horses and Driving from the 16^th to the 19^th Century, by Daniel Roche], 2002, edited by Art Equestre De Versailles.  Available in French.