The Haut-Rillon racecourse is located in the town of Châtelaillon-Plage, in Charente-Maritime, 14 km south-east of La Rochelle.
It was created in 1928 on the initiative of a merchant from Cognac after the closure of the La Rochelle racecourse. An association initiated on this occasion organized the first races on Châtelaillon-Plage which quickly attracted a large audience. Meetings were then held on the third Sunday in May and on July 14.
The number of equestrian meetings grew after the Second World War, and the infrastructure was modernized over the decades, with the meetings being organized by the Société des courses de la Côte de Lumière.
In order to perpetuate this tradition in optimal conditions, the racecourse was the subject of a vast restructuring project from 2011 to 2013. The project was carried out thanks to a specialized architect, Claude Penloup.
There is now available an enlarged sand track, now 1200 m long with a rope on the left, new stands with a capacity of 400 seats, a functional hall dedicated to punters, a panoramic restaurant but also particularly functional for professionals (boxes, stalls, changing rooms, etc.).
The complex benefits from an exceptional environment in the seaside resort since the racecourse, slightly set back from the coast, is surrounded by around thirty hectares of wetlands protected under "Natura 2000".
Ten meetings are scheduled from March to November, mainly dedicated to harnessed trotting, including a stage of the Grand National Trot in mid-July. Most meetings are rated "Premium".
Admission: 6 euros.
Information on +33 5 46 07 07 62.
