An Economic Overview of Equestrian Tourism in France

Céline Vial (), Agathe Batouche, Pascale Heydemann (), Julie Laulhere, Maëva Primault and Caroline Drapeau
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Céline Vial: UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement, IFCE - Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation [Saumur]
Agathe Batouche: IFCE - Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation [Saumur]
Pascale Heydemann: IFCE - Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation [Saumur]
Julie Laulhere: IFCE - Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation [Saumur]
Maëva Primault: IFCE - Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation [Saumur]
Caroline Drapeau: IFCE - Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation [Saumur]

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Abstract: Horse‑related tourism activities contribute to the dynamism and attractiveness of French territories. These ac‑ tivities are diverse and widely dispersed, and there is limited data to objectively assess their economic impact. For this reason, the Economic and Social Observatory of the Horse (OESC) of the French Institute for Horse and Riding (IFCE), together with the IFCE Western Territorial Delegation, are conducting a national study, in collab‑ oration with the French Equestrian Federation (FFE) and the National Federation of Horse Racing (FNCH), with the support of researchers in geography and economics. The objective is to identify and characterize horse‑related tourism and leisure activities through key indicators (number of sites, attendance, turnover, full‑time equivalent jobs, etc.). Data collection was carried out in late 2025 and early 2026 through internet research, online surveys, and interviews with site managers. The results are structured into two parts. Part 1: Horse‑related tourism supply. This part includes sites and activities with tourism and leisure appeal, such as racecourses, competition venues, cultural and heritage sites, stud farms, private breeding or training facilities open to visitors or offering demonstra‑ tions, equestrian show venues, and sites hosting events such as fairs or exhibitions. Around 450 different activities have been identified as fully horse‑related, including 214 activities related to culture, shows, festivals, fairs, and competitions, in addition to activities organized at the 231 racecourses. These activities generate around 5 million visits annually (1.7 million for culture/shows/festivals/fairs, 1.1 million for competitions, and 2.2 million for rac‑ es) Ticket sale turnover is estimated at around €30 million for sites offering paid activities, including slightly less than €4 million for racecourses, for which ticket sales represent only a small share of total turnover. Part 2: Eques‑ trian tourism in France. This part focuses on horseback tourism providers and tour operators. Around 1,000 FFE members hold an equestrian tourism label. Equestrian tourism constitutes the main activity for approximately half of them, that are of varying economic size, generating a combined turnover of €75 million and employing 1,450 staff. The other half mainly consists of riding schools offering diversified activities, in which equestrian tourism plays a more marginal role; their combined turnover of €135 million and 4,000 salaried jobs are therefore only partially linked to tourism. More than 3,300 riding tours organized by 750 certified clubs have been identified. In addition, around ten tour operators share the organized equestrian travel sector in France. The results highlight the economic importance of the sector and will help institutions better support these activities, their organization, and their impacts. The key figures that will be presented at the EAAP 2026 conference will also be used in regional exchanges with the equine sector, local authorities, and institutions, as well as in national economic publications and for international comparisons. Further work may be conducted at regional level (2026–2027), including meth‑ odological recommendations and additional field surveys to address remaining data gaps.

Keywords: Territorial development; Economic impact; Equestrian tourism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-09-07
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Published in 77. Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP), EAAP, Sep 2026, Hambourg, Germany. pp.1126

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