Biennale Équestre du Château de Thillombois
The grand equestrian show in the park of Château de Thillombois
2026
About Biennale Équestre Thillombois
The Thillombois Castle Equestrian Biennale is a horse show held every two years by the Connaissance de la Meuse association in the castle grounds, located between Verdun and Bar-le-Duc. Over three days in September, professional equestrian troupes perform on a stage set up facing the castle, featuring dressage, aerobatics, carriage driving, and music. The 7th edition will take place on September 18, 19, and 20, 2026, featuring the Garde républicaine.
Biennale Équestre Thillombois — edition 2026
The 7th edition of the Thillombois Castle Equestrian Biennale takes place from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 20, 2026, in the park. The same show is performed three times: at 8:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30 PM on Sunday. The program features the Garde républicaine with 66 riders, Élise Roméo, Jérôme Sefer and Kévin Ferreira, and Mélie Philippot.
7th Equestrian Biennale, September 18–20, 2026
Connaissance de la Meuse is hosting its equestrian biennale in the park of the Château de Thillombois, between Verdun and Bar-le-Duc. The press kit announces 100 horses over three days, with the same show performed on Friday and Saturday at 8:30 PM and on Sunday at 2:30 PM.
The Garde républicaine returns
The cavalry regiment, which attended the first editions of the event, returns with 66 riders: featuring a dressage solo, the Lance Carousel, the Twelve-rider reprise, the Tandem reprise, and a mounted brass band.
Other acts
Élise Roméo presents "The Balance of Forces," dedicated to the nine French draft horse breeds, featuring liberty vaulting, carriage driving, and high-school dressage. Jérôme Sefer and Kévin Ferreira, from the same team, present "Elegance," featuring high-school dressage and Cossack vaulting with blood horses. Mélie Philippot, who has worked with the companies of Bartabas and Mario Luraschi, performs with a ridden horse, three ponies, and a donkey. The equestrian center of the EPL Agro de la Meuse is also participating.
Ticketing
Tickets went on sale on August 12, 2026. Early bird rates are available until September 7: €20 for adults in the grandstand and €29 for the Carré Or section, compared to €29 and €38 thereafter. Admission is free for children under 7. Reservations can be made online, by phone at 03 29 84 50 00, or by mail.
On-site
Two seating areas are available: the Carré Or, facing the castle, with numbered shell seats, and the grandstand along the long side of the arena, equipped with benches. Parking is free on-site, and parking in the village is prohibited. The show will proceed even in case of rain; umbrellas are prohibited in the grandstand, and animals are not allowed. Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Please mention any accessibility requirements when booking for disabled access.
Highlights Biennale Équestre Thillombois 2026
- The Garde républicaine and its 66 riders: Lance Carousel, Twelve-rider reprise, Tandem reprise, and mounted brass band
- Élise Roméo, "The Balance of Forces," featuring the nine French draft horse breeds
- Jérôme Sefer and Kévin Ferreira, "Elegance": high-school dressage and Cossack vaulting
- Mélie Philippot, formerly with the companies of Bartabas and Mario Luraschi, with a ridden horse, three ponies, and a donkey
Programme Biennale Équestre Thillombois 2026
Three performances of the same show
- Friday, September 18, 2026 — show at 8:30 PM, doors open at 6:30 PM, arrival recommended before 8:00 PM
- Saturday, September 19, 2026 — show at 8:30 PM, doors open at 6:30 PM, arrival recommended before 8:00 PM
- Sunday, September 20, 2026 — show at 2:30 PM, doors open at 11:30 AM, arrival recommended before 2:00 PM
The Garde républicaine
The cavalry regiment, described by the organizers as the largest mounted unit in the world, returns to Thillombois after having participated in the first editions. 66 riders are coming with their horses. Their acts include:
- A dressage solo
- The Lance Carousel
- The Twelve-rider reprise
- The Tandem reprise
- The mounted brass band, performing several musical pieces
Élise Roméo — "The Balance of Forces"
An act dedicated to the nine French draft horse breeds, combining liberty vaulting, carriage driving, and high-school dressage.
Jérôme Sefer and Kévin Ferreira — "Elegance"
A high-school dressage and Cossack vaulting act featuring blood horses. Both riders are part of Élise Roméo's team.
Mélie Philippot
Having worked with the companies of Bartabas and Mario Luraschi before launching her solo career, she presents an act with a ridden horse, three ponies, and a donkey.
Equestrian Center of the EPL Agro de la Meuse
The equestrian center of the local agricultural high school is participating in the show.
Dining during the three days
Dinner under a marquee on Friday and Saturday (arrival by 6:45 PM, meal served at 7:00 PM) and lunch on Sunday (arrival by 12:15 PM, meal served at 12:30 PM), by reservation at 03 29 84 50 00. Fast food available from 7:00 PM on show evenings and from 12:00 PM on Sunday: "Rapido" meal deal for €9 (sandwich, chips, cookie, small bottle of water), snacks (sandwiches, pizzas, quiches, hot dogs), waffles, pastries, and a bar.
The organizer does not publish the running order of the acts.
Prices Biennale Équestre Thillombois 2026
Early bird rates valid until September 7, 2026, for the grandstand (benches) and Carré Or (shell seats):
Adult: €20 (instead of €29) / €29 (instead of €38)
Youth (7 to 15 years old): €13 (instead of €17) / €19 (instead of €24)
Unemployed or student: €17 (instead of €21) / €23 (instead of €27)
Child under 7: free in both categories
Family (2 adults + 2 youths): €58 (instead of €76) / €82 (instead of €104)
Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
Meals under the marquee require reservation at 03 29 84 50 00: adult menu €24 on Friday and Saturday evening, €29 on Sunday lunch, child menu (up to 10 years old) €12, drinks included.
Fast food on-site: "Rapido" meal deal €9.
Practical information — Biennale Équestre Thillombois
Access
The show takes place in the park of the Château de Thillombois (55260), between Verdun and Bar-le-Duc.
- By car: 25 minutes from Verdun, 25 minutes from Bar-le-Duc, 60 minutes from Châlons-en-Champagne, 65 minutes from Metz, 70 minutes from Nancy. Free parking on-site; parking in the village is prohibited.
- By train: The Meuse TGV station is 12 minutes from the castle.
2026 Performance Schedule
- Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19: Gates open at 6:30 PM, show at 8:30 PM, arrival recommended before 8:00 PM. Dinner in the marquee by reservation: arrival by 6:45 PM, meal served at 7:00 PM. Fast food available from 7:00 PM.
- Sunday, September 20: Gates open at 11:30 AM, show at 2:30 PM, arrival recommended before 2:00 PM. Lunch in the marquee by reservation: arrival by 12:15 PM, meal served at 12:30 PM. Fast food available from 12:00 PM.
Ticketing
Ticket sales opened on August 12, 2026. Book online via the official website, by phone at 03 29 84 50 00, or by mail to Connaissance de la Meuse, Carrières d'Haudainville, 55100 Verdun. Early-bird rates are available until September 7, 2026. Seating is limited, and tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
Dining
Meals in the marquee require reservation by calling 03 29 84 50 00: adult menu at €24 on Friday and Saturday evenings, €29 on Sunday lunch, child menu (up to 10 years old) at €12, drinks included. Without reservation: 'Rapido' meal deal at €9 (sandwich, chips, cookie, small bottle of water), snacks, waffles, pastries, and a bar.
Good to know
- The show continues in the rain; please bring weather-appropriate clothing.
- Umbrellas are not permitted in the stands.
- Animals are not allowed.
- Please notify us of any accessibility requirements when booking.
Contact
Connaissance de la Meuse, Carrières d'Haudainville, 55100 Verdun. Phone: 03 29 84 50 00. Email: [email protected].
A biennial equestrian show in the castle park
The equestrian biennale is organized by the Connaissance de la Meuse association in the park of the Château de Thillombois, between Verdun and Bar-le-Duc. The castle, built in the early 16th century, was renovated in the 18th and 19th centuries; it retains two square towers with arrow slits and an old wing, complemented in 1825 by a new main building. The 43-hectare English-style park and the chapel are protected as historical monuments.
Three performances over a September weekend
The same show is performed three times. On Friday and Saturday, gates open at 6:30 PM for an 8:30 PM start; on Sunday, gates open at 11:30 AM for a 2:30 PM start. The audience is seated in two stands arranged around the performance area: the 'Carré Or' (Gold Square), facing the castle with numbered shell seats, and the grandstand along the long side of the stage, equipped with benches.
Guest troupes
The program features professional equestrian companies. In 2024, the 6th edition hosted Clémence Faivre, the Jehol company, and the L'Art au galop company. The 7th edition, on September 18, 19, and 20, 2026, brings together the Garde républicaine and its 66 riders, Élise Roméo, Jérôme Sefer and Kévin Ferreira, and Mélie Philippot.
On-site information
The show goes ahead even in the rain, and organizers recommend dressing according to the weather. Umbrellas are prohibited in the stands, and animals are not allowed. Parking is free on-site; parking in the village is prohibited. Meals are served in a marquee by reservation; fast food and a bar are available without reservation. Please mention any accessibility needs when booking to benefit from facilities for people with reduced mobility.
Where does it take place — Biennale Équestre Thillombois
Biennale Équestre Thillombois in brief
History of Biennale Équestre Thillombois
Edition 2025 Jul 2025Other festivals near Thillombois
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