Foire Chevaline de Maurs

The Foire Chevaline de Maurs: an unmissable event for the equine world

In the heart of the Châtaigneraie cantalienne, the small town of Maurs hosts one of the most important horse fairs in France. The Foire Chevaline de Maurs, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages, perpetuates a commercial and cultural tradition deeply rooted in the region. Several times a year, the Foirail du Vert comes alive at dawn to welcome breeders, dealers, and equine enthusiasts from all over France and even from abroad.

A centuries-old tradition

The tradition of horse fairs in Maurs has been documented for centuries. In the era when horses were essential for agricultural work and transportation, Maurs established itself as a major horse trading center in the southwest of the Massif Central. Today, although the uses of horses have evolved, the fair remains a leading professional event for the trade of sport horses, leisure horses, ponies, and donkeys.

The Foirail du Vert: a dedicated site

The fairs take place at the Foirail du Vert, a dedicated area in Maurs, equipped to accommodate equines in compliance with sanitary standards. The Maurs fairgrounds are known for being the most controlled in Cantal, with veterinarians present and strict controls ensuring traceability and animal welfare. This rigor contributes to the fair's good reputation among professionals in the equine industry.

The course of a fair day

The fairgrounds open their doors as early as 5:30 AM, when the first trucks and vans unload the horses in the dim light. Transactions officially begin at 8 AM. Throughout the morning, buyers examine the animals, negotiate prices, and conclude sales. The atmosphere is that of a traditional market where human contact is paramount: handshakes, discussions among connoisseurs, shared expertise on the qualities of the mounts.

Each event brings together between 100 and 800 equines depending on the season. Autumn fairs, historically the most important, attract the largest number of animals and visitors. A catering service is available on-site until 12:30 PM, allowing participants to eat in a convivial atmosphere.

A strong link between Cantal and Brittany

Remarkably, the Foire Chevaline de Maurs maintains a close link with Brittany. Many breeders and buyers from Brittany regularly make the trip, creating an original commercial and human axis between two French regions passionate about horses. This connection demonstrates the national reach of the Maurs fair, far beyond the borders of Cantal.

An event organized by passionate volunteers

The Foire Chevaline de Maurs is organized by the Comité des Foires Chevalines de Maurs, an association under the law of 1901 composed of 23 volunteer members passionate about the world of horses. Presided over by Roger Condamine, the committee is responsible for the organization, preparation, and running of the four annual fairs. Their volunteer commitment is essential to the sustainability of this event, which contributes to the identity and dynamism of the Châtaigneraie cantalienne.