A Day at the Races!

(Warning: picture-heavy post)

Earlier this month, I joined some friends at the Prix de Diane - Hermes at Chantilly. It took some convincing at first to get me to go, but when I discovered that the invitation promised a day celebrated "in all the colors of Rajasthan and Jaipur" my bags were as good as packed!

The Prix de Diane, which takes place in the town of Chantilly (famous for its cream, among other things), just a little over an hour outside of Paris, is the French equivalent of Royal Ascot. The theme (which varies each year) was L'Inde a Chantilly (India at Chantilly).




That Saturday morning started off on the grim side, and as the Chateau de Chantilly rose out of the mist, I did wonder if we weren't going to get a drenching. Though I suppose we could always have retreated into the chateau for a little tour - it's exactly the kind of grand old building I loved exploring as a child.




Well, the Indian Cavalry, who were preparing for their exercises when we arrived didn't seem concerned about an imminent downpour, so neither were we.




What the jockeys and their horses saw...




What we spectators saw...

On the short journey even from the car to the cheery colored tents, we found entertainments galore: musicians, dancers, and even magicians to greet the guests.













And all the colors, a visual feast. Inside Le Village Hermes was no exception.




Many guests really took the India theme to heart - and did it well.




Just a few paces from the entrance, boutiques had been set up as a market for guests to wander into, brimming with everything from food, fresh fruit and spices, to traditional clothing, antiques, and small objets d'art.










shoplifters (no, not really)







We realized that it was unfortunately impossible to capture precisely how splendid it was -- that everywhere you looked, there was something lovely to see, hear, smell or taste. But hopefully some of these pics can offer some idea.




Under the picnic tents...







Serious picnic prep...







But the day wasn't only about food, there were hats, too! I admit I was too busy enjoying the display to take many snapshots, but here are a few.



















There was something for everyone, and no lack of splendor, either from the dashing Indian cavalry, or the troupe of musicians, dancers, and other artists that mingled with and entertained the crowd that afternoon and evening.









Yes, that's a monkey on his head.










Stands at full capacity, come race time.




And in between races, the crossing to a better vantage point.






The view towards the finish.







Race day, at least like this, is only done once a year. And in many ways it was very much like stepping back in time, if only for an afternoon.