Les Équidays
The traveling equestrian festival of Calvados
2026
About Les Équidays
Every year, Les Équidays brings the Calvados equestrian community together around a unique concept: a traveling village that visits Caen, Bayeux, Vire, Falaise, and Lisieux in turn. The event is complemented by exhibitions, stud farm tours, and opportunities to meet equine professionals at the Pôle International du Cheval Longines in Deauville. Organized by the Calvados Department—France's leading region for thoroughbred breeding—the festival highlights horse-related professions, from breeders to farriers, and offers around a hundred activities, most of which are free, during the All Saints' school holidays.
Les Équidays — edition 2026
For the 2026 edition, the traveling Équidays village will make stops in Caen, Bayeux, Vire, Falaise, and Lisieux from October 17th to 21st, featuring free daily activities from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM, followed by a parade. Meanwhile, starting October 16th, the Pôle International du Cheval Longines de Deauville will host an introduction to equestrian professions, followed by an exhibition dedicated to thoroughbred horses, a behind-the-scenes tour of the series "Au galop," polo and horse-ball demonstrations, and a meet-and-greet with the Garde républicaine.
Highlights Les Équidays 2026
- "Le cheval pur-sang à Deauville" exhibition, photographs by Zuzanna Lupa, from October 17th to 21st at the Pôle International du Cheval Longines - Deauville
- Grand parade every evening at 6:30 PM in the day's host city (Caen, Bayeux, Vire, Falaise, Lisieux)
- Meet-and-greet with the Garde républicaine, October 18th in Bayeux
- Polo and horse-ball demonstrations, October 18th
- Evening gallop race meeting in Lisieux, October 21st
Programme Les Équidays 2026
Friday, October 16th
- Introduction to equestrian professions · Haras de Saint-Blaize
- Introduction to equestrian professions · Pôle International du Cheval Longines - Deauville
Saturday, October 17th — Caen stop
- 9:00 AM–6:00 PM — Opening of the "Le cheval pur-sang à Deauville" exhibition, photographs by Zuzanna Lupa · restaurant at the Pôle International du Cheval Longines - Deauville (until October 21st)
- 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM — Carriage ride · Saint-Pierre-Azif
- Immersive weekend · Haras de la Griserie (October 17th-18th)
- Saint-Hubert hike · La Maresquerie (October 17th-18th)
- 2:00 PM–6:30 PM — Traveling village, followed by a grand parade at 6:30 PM · Caen
Sunday, October 18th — Bayeux stop
- 8:00 AM–6:00 PM — Show jumping competition · Club Ponam
- 11:00 AM–11:45 AM — Presentation on equine therapy
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Behind-the-scenes tour of the series "Au galop" and an equestrian competition
- 2:00 PM–2:45 PM — Meet-and-greet with the Garde républicaine
- 2:00 PM–3:00 PM — Horse-ball demonstration
- 3:00 PM–4:00 PM — Polo demonstration
- 3:00 PM–4:00 PM — Meet a farrier
- 5:00 PM–6:00 PM — Meet an osteopath
- 2:00 PM–6:30 PM — Traveling village, followed by a grand parade at 6:30 PM · Bayeux
Monday, October 19th — Vire stop
- 10:00 AM–11:15 AM — Children's horse-themed creative workshop
- 12:45 PM–4:30 PM — Gallop race meeting · Hippodrome
- 2:00 PM–6:30 PM — Traveling village, followed by a grand parade at 6:30 PM · Vire
Tuesday, October 20th — Falaise stop
- 11:00 AM–12:30 PM — Tour of the Haras de Beaumont
- 2:00 PM–3:00 PM — Tour of the Haras de la Poterie
- 2:30 PM–3:30 PM — Guided tour "Deauville, passion cheval"
- 2:00 PM–6:30 PM — Traveling village, followed by a grand parade at 6:30 PM · Falaise
Wednesday, October 21st — Lisieux stop
- 10:00 AM–11:30 AM — "Horseshoe cookies" baking workshop (€5)
- 10:00 AM–10:30 AM — Guided tour of the Arqana October yearling sales
- 2:00 PM–5:00 PM — Open house at the Académie Delaveau
- 3:30 PM–9:00 PM — Evening gallop race meeting
- 2:00 PM–6:30 PM — Traveling village, followed by a grand parade at 6:30 PM · Lisieux
Provisional program published by the Calvados Department (source: equidays.fr/programme, indeauville.fr); registration for activities requiring it opens on September 8th, 2026.
Prices Les Équidays 2026
Practical information — Les Équidays
Most activities are free; some require prior registration, which opens on September 8th. The "horseshoe cookie" culinary workshop on October 21st in Lisieux has a fee of 5 €. The traveling village is open daily from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM in a different city, followed by a grand parade at 6:30 PM in the city center.
The event has been held several times across Calvados, with the previous edition taking place from October 21st to 25th, 2023, following the same traveling village format and featuring a grand parade in each host city in the late afternoon.
The Pôle International du Cheval Longines - Deauville, the Deauville-La Touques racecourse, and several local stud farms (Saint-Blaize, La Griserie, Beaumont, La Poterie) host the highlights related to racing and breeding, while the traveling village brings free entertainment to the five host cities.
Where does it take place — Les Équidays
Les Équidays in brief
Other festivals near Deauville
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