ENGLISH TEXTS
Vert, the golf club restaurant.
STAGE 13 Carcassonne On the banks of the Aude River, the Fajeolle racecourse delights fans of flat and trotting races. Jump racing, however, couldn’ t withstand the floods caused by a violent storm in 2020. Two meetings mark the season. May 1 st is a fixture for“ all Carcassonne locals,” says Olivier Bornia, secretary of the racing society and a tipster for Paris-Turf. The second usually falls on the second Sunday of May, often“ coinciding with the Emirates Poules d’ Essai.” Recently, five flat races have been set aside for apprentices and young jockeys, as part of a challenge. Trainer Jean- Claude Rouget makes an annual visit to this third-category racecourse to run a claimer or a maiden on the 1,200-meter right-handed track. Families enjoy picnicking under the towering plane trees. As for the trotters, the entry list is always full. La Fajeolle traditionally“ kicks off the turf season.” Johnny Hallyday performed here in 2015. The Aude Racing Society will celebrate its 160 th anniversary next year.
Food: Paella, fideuà( noodle paella), or cassoulet- prepared by a rotating cast of caterers, local restaurants, or community associations.
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By Paul Casabianca
SOUTHEASTERN REGION
STAGE 14 Zonza, the Rooftop of Europe It may not be Europe’ s most famous racecourse, yet it holds the title of the highest on the continent. Nestled at the foot of the Aiguilles de Bavella in South Corsica, the Viséo racecourse in Zonza sits at an altitude of 950 meters. Surrounded by mountains, every summer for decades, vacationers in July and August gather with locals for a day of horse racing in a picture-postcard setting.“ Beyond being the highest racecourse in Europe, I often say it’ s a baby bottle racecourse!” says Denis Bertini, president of the Zonza racecourse.“ You know, in Zonza, there are more children than adults, it’ s full of kids running around. It’ s an unusual place, quite different from other racecourses. It’ s a gathering place for all enthusiasts, locals, and many tourists. During the July and August race meetings, we welcome between 1,500 and 2,000 people. After football, it’ s the biggest sporting event of the year in Corsica. This year, the racecourse will celebrate its 100 th anniversary. We also renewed our agreement with the town hall after negotiations, so we’ re set for a new 12-year lease.” Good news for the racecourse and the village of
Zonza, home to 200 yearround residents, who had the privilege of seeing the Olympic flame pass through in 2024.
STAGE 15 Sault, Smells Like the South When you think of Provence, you think sunshine, beaches, pastis( in moderation), not to mention cicadas and lavender. While the region is full of it— especially in the Vaucluse— at Sault, right in the heart of the racecourse, the track is uniquely planted with a lavender field, making it one-of-a-kind in the world. Founded in 1894, the Défends racecourse hosts its only annual race meeting on the second Sunday of August, a trotting event. Located at 810 meters above sea level at the foot of Mont Ventoux, it is the highest racecourse in mainland France after Zonza. This wooded, verdant site, which celebrated its 130 th anniversary last year, is also the stage for the great lavender festival every August 15, attracting thousands of visitors annually.“ The racecourse is part of the region’ s heritage and the votive festival that celebrates the end of the lavender harvest, the iconic blue flower of Provence,” explains Stéphane Chatrenet, president of the racecourse.“ Everyone loves coming here: tourists, locals, and devoted bettors. For the past two years, we’ ve held the Equures label— a quality certification supporting animal welfare and envi-
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