It is a pretty drive across country to le Pin with views over paddocks and pastures to distant châteaux set against a backdrop of oak and beech woods.

The national stud was founded by Colbert in the early 18thC, and he commissioned Hardouin-Mansart to design the impressive ‘Versailles for horses’ at the end of a long grassy ride carved through the woods. Before the main château, two elegant stable blocks (now housing exhibits) enclose a horseshoe-shaped courtyard, which is the scene of horse and carriage displays on Thursday afternoons in summer. There are guided tours of the forge, tack room and new stables, where the stud keeps around 100 stallions, including Percherons (though there are considerably fewer horses on display between February and July). The views from the rear of the château are tremendous, and you will see the competition grounds which host various show-jumping and dressage events; also breeding competitions to show off the young horses. There is a schooling ring opposite the car park where you might see horses ‘working out’.