Var Races (Courses du Var)

Research Status: Moderate Last Updated: 2025-12-07 Diary Coverage: Up to 1873-02-12

Horse races held near Nice in February 1873, one of the major social events of the winter season on the French Riviera. Marie describes the races on February 5, 1873 as "Le plus grand jour de la saison pour moi."

Historical Context

The Var is a river and region near Nice. Horse racing was a central activity of the aristocratic winter season on the Côte d'Azur, attracting international society.

Features Mentioned

• Race commissioners (Marie notes the Duke of Hamilton held this prestigious position)
• Tribune (grandstand) where the elite society watched the races
• Jockeys and race horses parading through Nice before the event
• Betting on races (Marie bet and lost a box of bonbons)

Social Significance

For Marie, the races represented an opportunity to see and be seen by high society, particularly the Duke of Hamilton. The presence of "énormément de monde très élégant" indicates this was a premier social gathering.

%% 2025-12-07T15:30:00 RSR: Created entry based on February 5, 1873 diary entry. Need to research specific location of race course and identify other regular attendees. %%