Owner of the Domaine de Méjanes since her marriage in 1970, Michèle Ricard has "reappropriated" it since the beginning of 2020 after more than 40 years of operation by the Ricard company.
She has undertaken an almost complete renovation of the estate with the aim of reviving Méjanes by respecting its history while deliberately looking to the future in order to better transmit this legendary place to new generations.
Michèle Ricard modernised the logo, signage and communication materials of the estate. At the same time, she renovated all the buildings, the Bergerie restaurant, the Paul Ricard esplanade, the picnic area, the fronton of the arena, the large hall renamed "Salon Mirette Ricard", the "Vieille Ecole" building and its "gîtes" and caravans, the "Château de Méjanes" which became a prestigious gîte, the houses of the "Clos des Amandiers" which were entirely renovated, the green spaces were cleaned and enhanced, and the "Musée Paul Ricard" was created!
Méjanes, the "sleeping beauty", is reborn and evolves to adapt to "modern times", to the desires and needs of individual and corporate visitors who can now also enter the legend !
Owner of the Domaine de Méjanes since her marriage in 1970, Michèle Ricard has "reappropriated" it since the beginning of 2020 after more than 40 years of operation by the Ricard company.
She has undertaken an almost complete renovation of the estate with the aim of reviving Méjanes by respecting its history while deliberately looking to the future in order to better transmit this legendary place to new generations.
Michèle Ricard modernised the logo, signage and communication materials of the estate. At the same time, she renovated all the buildings, the Bergerie restaurant, the Paul Ricard esplanade, the picnic area, the fronton of the arena, the large hall renamed "Salon Mirette Ricard", the "Vieille Ecole" building and its "gîtes" and caravans, the "Château de Méjanes" which became a prestigious gîte, the houses of the "Clos des Amandiers" which were entirely renovated, the green spaces were cleaned and enhanced, and the "Musée Paul Ricard" was created!
Méjanes, the "sleeping beauty", is reborn and evolves to adapt to "modern times", to the desires and needs of individual and corporate visitors who can now also enter the legend !
The Cavalier de l'Apothéose make quite an impression in Les Arènes de Méjanes.
Ramon Gallardo takes over the management of the arenas.
Birth of François-Xavier Diaz Ricard, Michèles Ricard's son
Pierre Guillot becomes the Domaine de Méjanes's steward. He moves to the domain with his spouse Antoinette et their five children (Isabelle, Anne, Xavier, Marie-Pierre, and Eugène). His son Xavier and Eugène will take over the management of the domain for 17 years.
Jean Alazar moves with his horse to Méjanes. The Cadre Noir de Saumur's hostlers come to les Arènes de Méjanes as well as the Olympic Dressage rider, Carlos Pinto (here on the picture).
Luc Jalabert takes the alternative from the legendary Alvaro Domecq in les Arènes de Méjanes on the 14th of July.
Luc and Marc Jalabert create the Feria du Cheval.
Hélène and Néné become the general managers of Le Mazet du Vaccarès restaurant. They were the guardians of the Beauduc lighthouse since 1982.
The Méjanes Club is created and works for the Parc de Doñana in Andalusia and the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue to be brought together.
Michèle Ricard's spouse, Paco Ortiz, is a lawyer and devoted rider. He goes on the daring adventure of traveling from the Parc de Doñana in Andalusia to the Parc Régional de Camargue, riding his horse Manguara.
Paco goes back on the road with Manguara and two riders with their Camargue horses to meet the Association des Calèche du Delta in Amposta. This symbolic meeting of the reunited three deltas (Guadalquivir, Ebre, Camargue) is organised by the Doñana, Ebre, and Camargue Parks.
Tribute to Angel Perralta and the French Rejoneadors.
The Calèches du Delta go back on the road from Amposta to go to the Parc de Doñana. It will take a lot of time for this path to be suited for riders.
We remember the ovation she received from the audience in the Les Arènes de Méjanes when she presented her fabulous horse, Fuego. Clémence keeps a distinct and intense memory of her stay. She is one of our most fervent ambassadresses during her tours around the world.
Lucien Gruss is the guest of honor of the Méjanes Horse Feria. He does an excellent show when his book "Pour la beauté du cheval" comes out with the Diable Vauvert publishing company.
Lorenzo, "the child of the country," put a spell on us with his show performed in front of the Vaccarès pond. The show celebrated the 80 years of the domain belonging to the Ricard family. The incredible movielike scenery of Méjanes coupled with the huge talent of this genius, the "mares whisperer", leave pictures forever anchored in our minds.
Creation of the Paul Ricard Esplanade
Refurbishment of the Méjanes's buildings
Opening of the Vieille École for seasonal rentals
Opening of the Musée Paul Ricard and accommodations on the domain.
