Above: The former Hotel Schedl, Neulengbach, in August 2025 where Rachel rested for two hours on the morning of May 12, 1928. The building is now home to two restaurants.
Source: Google Maps
Above: Hotel Imperial in Vienna, July 9, 2013. Constructed in 1863, the hotel was originally an archducal palace. It was converted to a hotel in 1873 for the Vienna World's Fair. The narrow two storey addition above the original roof line was added in 1928, the year of Rachel's visit to Vienna (and her stay in the hotel).
Source: Wikipedia Commons. Photo credit: Gugerell.
8. Bucharest, 1928 (continued)
Munich to Vienna (Map 4-5)
After leaving Munich Rachel is next reported as arriving in Linz, Austria, a distance of 140 kilometers. The reports disagree as to whether she arrived in Linz on Tuesday, May 8 or Wednesday, May 9, but May 8 is the most likely. She got to town about 5 p.m.
"Upon her arrival, the passionate horsewoman first brought her horse, 'Le Huppé,' a 15-year-old stallion, into the stable. She groomed the horse herself, wrapped his feet in bandages soaked in vinegar and water, and placed a damp compress on the back of the faithful animal to relieve saddle pressure. The stallion was professionally watered and fed until he was finally calm enough to be put to bed for the night."
Rachel decided to stay in Linz for a day and the Steyr automobile factory provided her with a car (and presumably a driver). The Steyr company is still in business, making specialized vehicles such as tractors, garbage trucks and street sweepers.
Rachel found time to send another bulletin back to Le Petit Journal:
"Linz, May 9. On Sunday I believe we will be in Vianna. Yesterday frightful heat and terrible storm. Today rest, terrible wind cold and snow. Lovely reception by the Austrians. The little horse is well. Signed: Le Huppé – Dorange."
Rachel left Linz on May 10 and got to Neulengbach, about 46 kilometers from Vienna, on May 12. She arrived at 8 a.m. so she must have spent the night somewhere nearby.
"Mademoiselle d'Orange, the Amazon, rode into Neu­lengbach at eight o'clock this morning. Friends of the noble sport of horse riding and some of her compatriots welcomed her and greeted her in the Vienna Woods. The rider rested for two hours, then at ten o'clock she swung back into the saddle, spurred her horse on and galloped away."
"It is not difficult to imagine how great the sensation was this morning in the otherwise quiet market town of Neulengbach, where express trains thunder past haughtily and cars race through. It was only a horsewoman who made the people of Neulengbach realize again that they actually live between Paris and Bucharest. Something of the irritating odor of the big world could be felt in Neulengbach today. And people there were just as amazed at the sure-footed lady as they will be in Vienna this afternoon.".
Rachel's progress was telegraphed to Vienna so the city was well prepared to give her a warm welcome.
"She hopes to arrive in Vienna in front of the Hotel Imperial between three and four o'clock in the afternoon. Anyone who feels inspired by the spirit of riding should hurry and be on the Ringstrasse between the Opera and Schwarzenbergplatz in time to witness Mademoiselle Rachel d'Orange's entry into Vienna....
Rachel's entry into Vienna was triumphal to say the least. At Purkersdorf, 13 kilometers from Vienna, she was met by "a small cavalcade" of the local amateur riding association who escorted her into the city, where she was preceded by a car with a cameraman who captured her arrival for the newsreels. (Kleine Volks-Zeitung)
"When she rode through Mariahilferstrasse... at around half past four, at a leisurely pace so that people had time to look at her, the commotion was considerable. People greeted her and waved, and Rachel waved back, laughing happily.... The crowd in front of the [Imperial Hotel] entrance is enormous, and with some difficulty, space is made for the Parisian woman, who swings herself out of the saddle and hands her luggage, two saddlebags and a raincoat, to the hotel porter for safekeeping.... Miss Rachel remounts her horse to check it into a Viennese stable before retiring for a well-deserved rest. There, Le Huppe receives a vinegar poultice on his back, poultices on his fetlocks, and an excellent oat snack." (Illustrierte Kronen Zeitung)