Inspiration

Haras Park: a new gathering place in the heart of the city

Jan. 2026

5 min.

The perfect mix of nature, culture, and heritage, Haras Park (formerly known as Haras National Horse Stables) figures among those iconic places that Annecy locals simply love.

After months of discussions and years of construction, the central gardens at Haras Park reopened to the public in November. A new page in history is being written, focused on the city, its residents, and visitors alike.

One of downtown Annecy’s historically significant locations, bringing Haras Park back to life means a new place for everyone in the city to relax, enjoy a breath of fresh air, and gather, one where nature and culture harmoniously mix.

This large-scale project is now a reality, with the completion of this first stage, prior to the opening of the Halle Gourmande gourmet food court planned for the end of February, followed in June by the inauguration of the International Center for Animated Film.

A historic landmark in the heart of the city

Built in 1880, the Haras National Horse Stables in Annecy figure among the most iconic urban historic buildings alongside the Prefecture, Raoul-Blanchard Junior High School, and Berthollet High School. First royal, then imperial, then national, the Haras National Horse Stables were in a strategic location for the national government to breed horses. It began experiencing a slow decline in the 20^th century as both farming and the military mechanized.

Earning official historic monument status in 2007, the stables definitively closed their doors in 2009. Used sporadically in the years that followed, primarily for cultural events, official ownership transferred to the City of Annecy in 2013, sparking an in-depth discussion about the monument’s future and begging the question: how do we preserve the 2.5-hectare heritage site while transforming it into a contemporary space for locals and visitors to enjoy?

Restoring the former Haras National Horse Stables

“Our desire is not to erase the history of the Haras National Horse Stables, on the contrary, we want to continue its legacy by giving such a significant heritage site a new purpose, and by making it open and accessible to everyone,” explains Marie-Luce Frescurat, director of programming for Haras Park.

Locals were included in the restoration and renovation project. This involved public meetings and surveys to identify the specific expectations of people living in Annecy: a calm, accessible green space with places that cater to families.

A city park serving as a welcome breath of fresh air

Opening the heritage site to the general public and creating a city park was the natural choice: a lively yet peaceful, easy-to-cross open space offering a new place for people to gather. Haras National Horse Stables have now transformed into a beautiful park offering a breath of fresh air in downtown Annecy, designed as a peaceful oasis for people to walk through and enjoy.

Landscaper Philippe Déliau (Alep Paysages) envisioned, for the 2.5-hectare park, a smooth flow dotted with islands of vegetation, subtle clearings, and paths suitable for simply wandering about. It all strikes a subtle balance between natural spaces and friendly gathering spots.

Located within the heart of the park, the former riding grounds now serve as the central fountain area: a vast 1800 m² space with water jets that operate through a closed circuit pipe system and by recovering rainwater. In the summer, a misting system keeps visitors cool and relaxed; in winter, the fountain is emptied, adding extra space for people to walk around.

The park’s retrofit also includes an exceptional variety of vegetation: 214 new trees were planted next to 12 majestic and historic trees, including one extraordinary sequoia. Fig trees, Savoyard apple trees, magnolias, mountain ash, and even sea buckhorn create a flourishing, nourishing, and varied landscape alongside 15,600 bushes. Local nurseries contributed to the project.

In addition to social interaction, Haras Park will now play an important role with regard to the environment and greenery within the city, with planners having carefully selected and planted several new species of trees.

“The city wanted to introduce wide variety of vegetation and greenery capable of adapting to the climate as well providing the park with a unique identity,” explains Marie-Luce Frescurat. What an incredible resource for Annecy, both for residents and visitors looking for easy-to-access and inspiring green spaces.

A gourmet food court as a place to gather

The park is only the first step in the rebirth of this iconic location. The end of February will mark the grand opening of the “Halle Gourmande” gourmet food court. Biltoki, well-known across France for designing gourmet food courts, crafted this new welcoming and unifying location.

The idea is to create a hybrid space where you can shop for groceries, sit down for a bite to eat, grab a meal on the run, enjoy a snack after work with friends, or extend a visitor’s already amazing experience in the park. Combing green spaces with great eats will contribute to making Haras Park a fantastic place to gather, walk through, stop for a breath of fresh air, and share a wonderful experience with others.

Designed to showcase local products, the Biltoki gourmet food court (Biltoki means “ gathering place” in Basque) will include two dozen local independent shopkeepers, most in the culinary professions, as well as a wine bar managed by a local wine cellar. The many stalls will offer a wide variety of fresh produce (meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, breads, rotisserie…) and specialties to enjoy on the spot or to take home, and a central café, surrounded by enough tables for 270 people to sit down for a bite to eat, make for so many opportunities to gather with others for a tasty morsel.

This unique location revives the art of living through a modern-day version of the markets of yesteryear, where people from all ages gathered together in one place.

Construction of the new gourmet food court

The International Center for Animated Film

In June 2026, during the International Animated Film Festival, the park will take another major step towards completion with the opening of the International Center for Animated Film.

This bold choice falls fully in line with Annecy’s cultural identity and international reputation. “Making animated films an integral component of the Haras Park project means explicitly asserting that this high-profile industry is an integral part of the city’s DNA,” Marie-Luce Frescurat explains. “The Center will be a place for unique encounters, learning, and creativity. It will be open to the general public and professionals.”

This major project reinforces Annecy’s place as the world animation capital, offering animated films the chance to settle down in a location commensurate with their international renown. The Center will be open all year long to the general public, whatever the weather.

The International Center for Animated Film under construction

Looking towards the future

Since the park’s opening, feedback has been extremely positive. Neighborhood residents, families, the curious, or simply those enjoying a stroll, are slowly but surely getting reacquainted with the newly restored heritage site, likely to become a landmark for locals as well as a point of interest for visitors. Haras Park is no longer simply a building to admire from outside its walls: from now on it is a place to experience, to stroll through, and to savor. “We are witnessing just how quickly locals have become accustomed to the location. Haras Park is now a place to walk around, to stop for a break, or to simply take the time to think and daydream,” says Marie-Luce Frescurat.

In the long run, Haras Park will fulfill its ambition of becoming a place for everyone to relax, learn, meet with friends, and experience Annecy in a completely different way. This model project respects the location’s history while being fully anchored in the present and creating a place for future generations to enjoy.

Practical information*

Park opening hours

Winter: 07:30 to 18:00 from the last Sunday in October to the last Saturday in March.

Summer: 07:30 to 22:00 from the last Sunday in March to the last Saturday in October.

Closed at night.

Gourmet food court opening hours

07:30 to 21:00 Sunday through Thursday.

07:30 to 23:00 Friday and Saturday.

Please note: all cycles (bicycles, kick scooters, segways, etc.) are prohibited in Haras Park, even when walking them. Skateboards, inline skates, and roller skates are also prohibited, but carrying them with you is tolerated.

*For information purposes only (updated in December 2025) and subject to change.

Haras Park Annecy