12.VICHY (Allier) – Sichon Equestrian Stadium
The equestrian stadium of Sichon testifies to the importance of equestrian sport in the history of Vichy and it has preserved its original constructions characteristic of the seaside architecture.
- XIXe century (between 1885 and 1887)
Historic Monuments Registration July 20, 2022 grandstands, porch and entrance pavilions of the Sichon equestrian stadium.
© C.RAFLIN DRAC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The first horse races took place near Vichy in 1875, at the initiative of Baron de Veauce, senator of the Allier and friend of the Duke of Morny. They are organized by the Compagnie fermière on vast lots in Bellerive, on the left bank of the Allier. A racecourse is set up there and has been used for horse racing ever since.
At the same time, another site was set up in Vichy itself to organise horse races, mainly jumping. In fact, in 1885, the president of the Lyon competition of the Société Hippique Française (SHF), proposed to transfer the south-eastern competition to Vichy. The city accepts and undertakes to vote annually a grant for the organization of the contest. We choose a plot of land north of the city, on the edge of the Sichon.
Soil levelling work was carried out, and development plans were drawn up by Albert Thomas, one of the architects of the Palais de l'Industrie in Paris. A 600-metre trail skirts a lawn separated by a rustic fence. The Vichys architect Henri Décoret designed the construction of grandstands and porches, accompanied by buildings for the administration and housing of the guard.
National and international show jumping competitions, as well as other horse competitions, have been held annually at this stadium since 1887 and since then. At certain times, the land was also used as a velodrome and horse-drawn donkey races, hunting dog exercises and other shows were organized there. First leased to the SHF, the stadium was acquired by the SHF in 1896. It is now managed by Vichy Community. Various transformations have been carried out in recent years (replacement of the lawn with fibrous sand, construction of additional buildings, etc.).
The grandstand is a very elongated metal structure, with two levels carrying bleachers. The bottom wall is full, while the face on the racetrack is punctuated by thin posts supporting the second level and the roof.
The upper part is decorated with a network of metal frames and, at the edge of the roof, lambrequins. The entrance of the stadium, avenue Jean-Jaurès (old exit), is made by a monumental porch with three arches covered with arches arched with brick facing and closed by a grille. In the upper part, two cast iron horse heads are sealed.
On the reverse, the structure rests on wooden posts supporting the roof. In the upper part, very elaborate lambrequins form scrolling motifs and the letters «SORTIE». On either side of the portal are two buildings with wooden frames, one of which has retained its office structure
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