The reasons for the importance of the horse in Normandy are multiple. They include the role of stud farms, the presence of numerous racetracks and Deauville, the local establishment in the 19th century of the aristocracy and great fortunes, or the proximity of Paris. The region also benefits from ideal terroirs, environments, and natural conditions. The remarkable quality of Norman soils and the region's mild and humid climate allowed the development of grasslands particularly adapted to horse breeding. Such characteristics explain why, after having traveled all over France, the advisors to Louis XIV chose Normandy to establish the first royal stud from 1715.