Foire aux Poulains Percherons

Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe: Historic Cradle of the Percheron

Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe, a small commune in the southeast of Orne, is located in the heart of Perche, the natural region that gave its name to the famous Percheron horse. This powerful and elegant draft breed, renowned worldwide for its strength, docility, and beauty, is inseparable from the identity of this rural territory.

For nearly a century and a half, the Foire aux Poulains has perpetuated the tradition of the great horse fairs of Perche, where breeders and horse dealers would meet to present their finest specimens and conclude transactions.

A National Foal Competition

The highlight of the day is the national Percheron foal competition, organized in partnership with the Syndicat du Cheval Percheron Normand. Dozens of foals of the year, accompanied by their mothers, are presented before a jury of experts who evaluate their conformation, gait, and compliance with breed standards.

The best subjects receive prizes and distinctions that recognize the selection work of the breeders and contribute to the preservation of the Percheron breed's genetic quality.

Auction and International Transactions

The Foire aux Poulains is also an important equine trading venue. An auction allows breeders to offer their foals to buyers from all over France and abroad. Germany, Bulgaria, China, the United States, and Japan are among the purchasing countries, demonstrating the international reach of the Percheron breed.

Transactions concluded at the fair contribute to the economic sustainability of Percheron breeding and the maintenance of age-old know-how in the Perche countryside.

Demonstrations and Activities

Hitching demonstrations showcase the strength and docility of Percherons at work. Exhibitions trace the history of the breed and its role in agriculture and transportation. Visitors can meet breeders, discover the care given to the horses, and understand the challenges of preserving this heritage breed.

The atmosphere of the fair is authentically rural, warm, and friendly, true to the spirit of the great Norman agricultural fairs.