The world's equestrian elite come to Fontainebleau
From 16 to 26 April 2026, the Grand Parquet will be vibrating to the rhythm of hooves. Dressage, show jumping, para-dressage: two weeks of international competitions, with free admission.
There are events that anchor Fontainebleau in the world sporting calendar. The Printemps des Sports Equestres is one of them. Since 2022, this event has established itself as one of the highlights of the international equestrian season, and the 2026 edition takes things a step further with two consecutive weeks of competition at the highest level.
The setting? The Grand Parquet Equestrian Stadium, This former royal hunting ground has become one of the most prestigious equestrian sites in Europe. Here, just a few minutes from the château and on the edge of the forest, the world's best riders come together every spring on tracks that are the stuff of dreams.
And the good news is that everything is free of charge. Enter as you wish, settle down by the slopes and enjoy the show.
5th edition: an unstoppable rise
Created in 2022 by GL events Equestrian Sport, Printemps des Sports Equestres has grown fast. Very fast indeed. In 2023, it was already hosting a CDI 5*. In 2024, para-dressage made its debut. And in 2026, it was the consecration: the French Equestrian Federation entrusts the Grand Parquet with the organisation of the Dressage Nations Cup (CDIO 5*-NC), France's Official Dressage Magazine.
This is a first for Fontainebleau. And it sends out a strong signal: the Grand Parquet is no longer just the historic cradle of French equestrianism, it is once again one of its strongholds on a global scale.
For this 5th edition, the format extends over two weeks :
- Week 1 (16 - 19 April) Four days dedicated to dressage and para-dressage
- Week 2 (22 - 26 April) Five days dedicated to show jumping, with the return of the Master Pro FFE
Week 1: Dressage at the summit (16 - 19 April)
The first week is entirely devoted to the art of dressage, a discipline in which horse and rider form a duet that flirts with dance. The highlight: the Nations Cup CDIO 5*-NC, This is the flagship format of international dressage, where national teams of three or four couples compete against each other. The three best scores are used for the collective ranking. Strategy, consistency, risk-taking: each passage can change the hierarchy.
Labels scheduled for the dressage week:
- CDIO 5*-NC : Nations Cup, Officiel de France de Dressage
- CDI 3* / CDI 1* International Dressage Competition
- CDIYH / CDIU25 / CDIY / CDIJ / CDICH / CDIP categories: Young Horses, U25, Juniors, Children, Ponies
- CPEDI 3* and 2* Para-Dressage International (disabled riders)
In 2025, it will be Britain's Becky Moody who dominated the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle. The Frenchwoman Pauline Basquin, who made Versailles dance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, will certainly be there to win back the podium.
Le para-dressing, which has been part of the programme since 2024, confirms the event's commitment to equestrianism open to all. Disabled riders have access to specially adapted facilities and a dedicated welcome.
Week 2: show jumping (22 - 26 April)
The second week is a different story. It's time for show jumping, the adrenalin of falling (or not falling) bars, tight times and spectacular jump-offs. And this year, there's a new feature that's got everyone talking: the CSI 5* and Master Pro take place on the Home ground, the Grand Parquet's big grass track. A return to our roots that will delight purists.
The labels scheduled for jumping week:
- CSI 5* the highest level of show jumping in the world
- CSI 2* / CSI 1* International Jumping Competition
- CSIYH 1* Young horses (7 and 8 years old)
- CSI Amateur Gold Tour FFE Vicomte A.
- CSIP Pony category (Elite Tour and AS Tour)
- FFE Master Pro Championships Pro Elite, Pro 2, Pro AS Young Riders, Criterium Pro 1
The titleholder of the GL events CSI 5* Grand Prix? The Brazilian Yuri Mansur, who will have to defend his crown against an exceptional field. On the French side, the team bronze medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are expected: Olivier Perreau, Julien Epaillard and Simon Delestre.
The highlight on Sunday 26 April: the Grand Prix CSI 5*, with 308 600 €, with bars at 1.60 m. This is the highlight of the show.
The day-by-day programme (jumping week)
Three tracks run simultaneously from Wednesday to Sunday. Here are the highlights not to be missed:
Wednesday 22nd April Opening of the jumping week. First CSI 5* classes (1.45m then 1.50m) on the Terrain d'Honneur. 7 and 8 year old Young Horse events on the Carrière des Princes. Start of the CSI 2* and CSIP circuit on the Petit Parquet.
Thursday 23 April First round of the Master Pro Élite Championship (1.50 m). Continuation of the CSI 5* with a qualifying round at 1.55m. Start of the Master Pro 2 and CSI Amateur events.
Friday 24 April 8-year-old Young Horse finals. Second round + final of the Master Pro Élite (1.55 m, €61,000). CSI 5* in 1.55m. Start of the free shuttle service from the station to the town centre to the Grand Parquet.
Saturday 25 April 7-year-old Young Horse finals. Grand Prix CSI 1* (1.35 m). Grand Prix CSI 5* in the evening? No, it's Sunday! On the other hand, it's the day of the Fences Performers Auction in the evening: auction of around fifteen sport horses (4-8 years old) and embryos.
Sunday 26 April The big day. Criterium Pro 1 Final, CSI Amateur Gold Tour Grand Prix, CSI 2* Grand Prix (1.45 m, €30,000), and above all the Grand Prix CSI 5* GL events (1.60 m, €308,600) to close the afternoon.
Tests start at 8h each day. The end of the day depends on the programme: you should generally expect to arrive at 6pm-7pm, later on final days.
Three tracks, three moods
The Grand Parquet has three distinct competition areas:
- The main grounds The historic grass track, in the heart of the countryside. This is where the CSI 5* and Master Pro Élite events are held. New for 2026: jumping returns to this legendary track.
- La Carrière des Princes A track dedicated to Young Horses (CSIYH 7 and 8 years old) and certain CSI 1* events.
- Le Petit Parquet CSI 2*, CSI Amateur, Pony (CSIP), Master Pro 2 and Young Riders circuits.
The three tracks are freely accessible and you can move from one to the other as the day progresses. A word of advice: look out for the day's programme at the entrance so you don't miss the events that interest you.
The Discovery Village: for all the family
The Printemps des Sports Equestres is not just for connoisseurs. Visit Discovery Village offers a whole programme of events open to all, and particularly to families:
- Pony rides Pony rides: offered by the École Militaire d'Équitation (EME), these give children the chance to ride a pony in the great outdoors. The little ones can also stroke and brush them.
- Mini Grand Prix A course of obstacles to overcome... on stick horses! Parents and children take part in tandem, in disguise. Laughter guaranteed.
- Treasure hunt The Fontainebleau Horse Trail: organised by the Fontainebleau Horse Association. Clues are scattered throughout the site to find the “Coffre du Grand Parquet”. Several levels depending on the age of the children, every day.
- Drawing workshop A souvenir of the day.
- Demonstrations by the Garde Républicaine and the EME In between the events, performances celebrating traditional French equestrianism.
The Place des Exposants
More than 50 exhibitors are gathered on the Place des Exposants, in the heart of the site. Renowned saddlers (Hermès, CWD, Devoucoux, Bruno Delgrange, Butet, Forestier...), equipment manufacturers, equestrian fashion designers, animal nutrition specialists, stall and floor builders... This is the meeting place for the professional equestrian world as well as for enthusiasts.
When it comes to restaurants, there's plenty to eat on site: the General public (book online), as well as food trucks and stands (smash burgers, tex-mex, crêpes, aperitif boards, Savoy cheeses and charcuterie, etc.).
Fences Performers Auction: the Saturday evening auction
Le Saturday evening 25 April, the 4th edition of the Fences Performers Auction takes place at the Grand Parquet. Around fifteen sport horses aged between 4 and 8 and a dozen embryos will be auctioned. After three successful editions, this event within an event attracts breeders, investors and enthusiasts in search of future champions.
Follow the races live
Can't make it? All the races are broadcast live on the official website. Three video streams are available, one for each track:
- Terrain d'Honneur (CSI 5*, Master Pro Élite)
- Carrière des Princes (Young horses, CSI 1*)
- Petit Parquet (CSI 2*, CSIP, Amateur, Master Pro 2)
Real-time results are available on World Sport Timing.
Official website: leprintempsdesssequestres.com/en/live-stream
Practical info
Dates From 16 to 19 April 2026 (dressage) and from 22 to 26 April 2026 (show jumping).
Timetable opening at 8am (first rider on the track), closing at the end of the event
Rate free admission
Address Stade Equestre du Grand Parquet, RN 152 Route d'Orléans, 77300 Fontainebleau (next to the Golf de Fontainebleau)
GPS 48°23'27.25″N / 2°40'32.47″E
Car park free, bicycle parking available
Accessibility ground-level site with disabled access
Catering On-site (restaurant for the general public + food trucks)
Contact : [email protected]
Official website : leprintempsdessportsequestres.com
Coming by car
A6 direction Lyon, exit Fontainebleau. Follow RD 152 Route d'Orléans. Free on-site parking.
Coming by train
Line R (TER) from Paris Gare de Lyon (Hall 1), direction Montargis/Montereau. Stop at Fontainebleau-Avon. The journey takes around 40 minutes. Île-de-France ticket: €2.55. Le Navigo pass is valid.
From Orly Metro line 14 runs directly to Paris Gare de Lyon, then line R (one change only).
Free shuttles
From free shuttles run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the route SNCF station → City centre (place Charles de Gaulle) → Grand Parquet, and back.
During the week of jumping (Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April), the outward shuttles run from 10.10am to 5.45pm from the station, and the return shuttles from 11.45am to 7.15pm from the Grand Parquet. Frequency: approximately every 30 minutes.
Detailed shuttle timetables can be downloaded from the official website.
Our advice on how to make the most of it
- View the day's programme before you come: it is updated daily on the official website (“Programme of the day” section). Timetables may change as events progress.
- Favour Sundays if you're only coming once: it's the day of the Grand Prix and the finals, with the most intense atmosphere.
- Come early to enjoy the morning calm by the warm-up tracks, and stay for the big races in the afternoon.
- With children, To find out about the pony rides and treasure hunts, visit the Discovery Village as soon as you arrive.
- Bring good shoes The site is in the heart of nature, with grass and forest paths to walk on.
- Transport, Take advantage of the free shuttles at weekends rather than looking for a parking space on busy days.
Why we love Printemps des Sports Equestres
Because it takes place in our forest. Because the Grand Parquet is one of the most beautiful places in Fontainebleau, and watching Olympic-level riders perform against a backdrop of pines and sandstone is never tiring. Because it's free, open and family-friendly. Because it's the kind of event that reminds us why Fontainebleau has been the «Capital of the Horse» for centuries.
And because on a Sunday in April at the Grand Parquet, between a Grand Prix and a crêpe in the sun, it's simply a great time.