La Fête de la Bague is the great springtime occasion in Semur-en-Auxois: every year in late May, a horse race born in the 17^th century turns the mail promenade into a racecourse.

First run in 1639, the Ring Race is the oldest of France's horse races — a tradition almost four centuries old that the town has never let die out. For one day, riders and horses set off in the very heart of the upper town.

A stone's throw from the course, Maison Jazey is the ideal base for the day: from our hôtel particulier, one of Semur's grand private mansions, moments from the centre of Semur-en-Auxois, you can walk to the mail — no car, no parking to hunt for.

History

A race born in the 17^th century.

The race dates back to 1639, making it the oldest horse race still run in France. Far from the setting of modern racecourses, it is run where the heart of the town beats: on the mail, the broad tree-lined walk that skirts the old town and serves the rest of the year as a promenade.

On the day, this promenade is transformed into a track. Seasoned riders compete on it, carrying the colours of the region's breeders and owners — a spectacle inherited from the Middle Ages, where the sporting stakes are matched by a legacy of local prestige.

The tradition

A gold ring for the winner.

The festival's name is more than a symbol: to this day, the winning rider is presented with a gold ring engraved with the coat of arms of Semur-en-Auxois. Handed down from one generation to the next, this trophy roots the race in the town's long memory far more than in the honours of a single season.

Our take

Few towns can say they have raced horses through their streets since the reign of Louis XIII. In Semur, the Bague is no re-enactment: it is an unbroken tradition, where sport, local pride and medieval stone all come together in a single day.

Maison Jazey

Staying for the Bague

Maison Jazey, a few steps from the mail

La Fête de la Bague is one of the most sought-after weekends of the year in Semur — the town's accommodation books up well in advance. Maison Jazey, a mansion in the heart of Semur-en-Auxois, offers two spacious apartments a few minutes' walk from the course, with secure parking included.

Book direct and you get the best rate guaranteed and our concierge service to plan your day. Do book ahead: rooms go fast for this springtime occasion.

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Practical information