Chénérailles Horse Fair
The largest horse fair in Creuse, a tradition since 1902
2026
About Horse Fair
Horse Fair — edition 2026
Autumn 2026 edition of the Chénérailles Horse Fair, on Sunday, October 11, 2026 (2nd Sunday of October, traditional date). On the fairground square in Chénérailles, from 9 AM to 6 PM. Between 200 and 250 horses presented by breeders and professionals from all over France. Free entry.
Autumn Edition — Sunday, October 11, 2026
The traditional October Horse Fair will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 9 AM to 6 PM, on the Chénérailles fairground square and around the Maison de la Culture. As with every edition, it will bring together between 200 and 250 horses of all categories — riding horses, draft horses, French heritage breeds (Ardennais, Breton, Percheron) — presented by about a hundred professionals, breeders, and merchants from all over France and occasionally from other European countries.
Around the horse market, a large street market will unfold with exhibitors and itinerant traders, as well as on-site catering with refreshment stands. The association Cheval de Cœur offers pony rides for children, as it does every edition.
Organized by the Chénérailles Fair Committee, this autumn edition generally attracts around 5,000 visitors and demonstrates the sustained importance of the equine tradition in Creuse.
Highlights Horse Fair 2026
- Sunday, October 11, 2026, 9 AM-6 PM — 2nd Sunday of October (traditional date)
- 200 to 250 horses presented (riding horses, draft horses, French heritage breeds)
- About a hundred professionals, breeders, and merchants from all over France
- Street market with exhibitors and itinerant traders
- Pony rides by the Cheval de Cœur association
- On-site catering and refreshment stands
- Fairground square and Maison de la Culture — free entry
Programme Horse Fair 2026
Sunday, October 11th, 2026
- 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Horse Fair: showcasing 200 to 250 horses (saddle horses, draft horses, and heritage breeds) presented by around a hundred breeders and traders from all over France · Place du champ de foire and surrounding areas of the Maison de la Culture
- 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Street Market: various vendors and traveling merchants
- 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Food and drink stalls available on-site
- Pony rides offered by the Cheval de Cœur association
The Chénérailles Fair Committee does not provide a detailed schedule beyond the general opening hours: the fair takes place every second Sunday of October, following the same format each year (source: Chénérailles Town Hall, "Fairs" page).
Prices Horse Fair 2026
Practical information — Horse Fair
Practical Information
Location
Place du champ de foire, 23130 Chénérailles. The fair takes place on the Place du champ de foire and may extend to the area around the Maison de la Culture.
Hours
From 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Access
- By car: Chénérailles is located 25 km east of Guéret via the D990. Free parking on site.
- By train: Guéret train station, then 30 minutes by car.
Prices
- Free entry for visitors.
On site
- Street market with exhibitors and itinerant traders
- On-site catering and refreshment stands
- Pony rides by the Cheval de Cœur association
Contact
- Chénérailles Town Hall: 10, rue de l'Église, 23130 Chénérailles — 05 55 62 37 22 — [email protected]
- Organizer: Comité des Foires de Chénérailles
- Website: chenerailles.fr/foires
A Centenary Fair of National Importance
The Chénérailles Horse Fair is a historic event that has shaped the life of this small commune in Creuse since 1902. With over 120 years of existence, it has established itself as the largest horse fair in Creuse and has maintained its position among the most important in France. In the 1970s, it even held the fourth national rank for horse markets.
A Bi-annual Meeting for Professionals
The fair is held twice a year, on the second Sunday of May and the second Sunday of October, in the market square and around the Maison de la Culture. Between 200 and 250 horses are presented at each event, attracting about a hundred professionals – breeders, dealers, and equestrian centers – from all over France. While some horses are intended for the meat industry, many animals are also destined for equestrian centers and breeding.
A Popular and Controversial Event
With around 5,000 visitors per event, the Horse Fair remains a must-attend gathering that highlights the importance of equine breeding in the rural heritage of Creuse. Beyond the market, it's a day of encounters between breeders, horse lovers, and the curious, in an authentic rural fair atmosphere.
Where does it take place — Horse Fair
Horse Fair in brief
Other festivals near Chénérailles
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