This is an excellent occasion to discover the part of Burgundy situated North of Dijon.
In a space of greenery and tranquillity covered with forests abounding in game and gone through by numerous rivers, we propose you a weekend program leaving you the choice to ride from 2 to 3 days (even 4 or 5 on some dates).
Indeed, only a three hours drive from Paris or two hours from Lyon, you can leave the stress of the city and everyday life behind and relax on horseback riding through fields, forests and rivers and discover this beautiful Burgundian scenery.
Good humour and conviviality are participating from the start.
RIDE ITINERARY
WEEK-END IN BURGUNDY - IN THE LAND OF THE 3 RIVERS
This is a rough overview of the itinerary that we propose for the 2 days/1night or 3 days/2nights weekends. Attention : this itinerary can be modified at any time by the guide depending on weather conditions, the riding level of the group or safety reasons.
Day 1
We meet directly at the riding centre at 09 am. Optional transfer from Dijon tramway station "Valmy" is possible the evening before (around 07:30 pm) with a supplementary dinner and night at the guest house.
After getting the horses ready we leave around 10 o'clock to discover this part of Burgundy generally not very well known as it is situated off the tracks of the wineyards circuits. The woods, fields and rivers are perfect for numerous canters.
Around midday we will have a lunch break in form of an unconventional meal, served at table. In the afternoon we continue our exploration at full speed before returning to the cottage in the early evening. Depending on the weather conditions, we might have had a bath with the horses in one of the rivers. The evening is reserved for relaxation, for the shower, for dinner and having fun.
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast and preparing the horses, we leave for a new ride accross the Burgundian plains until we will have a well-deserved lunch break and maybe a small nap to gather forces for the afternoon canters in the woods and rivers with again, if weather permits, a swim with the horses. We return to the riding centre late afternoon for dinner and night at the cottage.
Day 3
This morning we ride to Bèze. This village is classified among the 700 most beautiful villages of France and crossed by the river "La Bèze" which gave its name to the town. The re-emergent spring and the caves will be the setting of our lunch picnic.
On the return ride in the afternoon, we have the possibility of a nice canter, more or less long depending on the riding level of the group and the state of the ground.
Arrival at the riding centre in the late afternoon. Individual departure of the riders or optional transfer to Dijon tramway station VALMY (train after 07:00 pm).
On some weekends we might propose 4 or 5 days programs (on request).
HORSES, TACK AND RIDING EXPERIENCE
Horses
The horses are of different breeds, all adapted to trail riding. They live in a herd outdoors on a prairies around the riding centre.
Tack
Australian stock saddles and hackamor. Some endurance saddles are also available.
Recommended riding experience
This ride needs Intermediate to confirmed experience as there are long and fast canters (gallops) up to 15 minutes as well as some races in the fields. It is important that you are not afraid of going fast not necessarily all in a line.
Riders should also be in very good physical shape to stand the distance of 40 - 45 km/day (25-28 miles).
Average riding time / day : 5-6 hours
Maximum weight :
120 kg
Maximum height :
2 m
Minimum age :
- 12 years with the necessary riding level and accompanied by an adult
YOUR GUIDES
You will be guided by Christian, who will insure a safe ride in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Being born in this region, he will make you discover its beauty and share his passion of horses and nature with you.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation
You will sleep at the riding center in dormitories. The cottage with its wooden interior has two sleeping rooms with 5 and 3 beds on the first floor, and, a big living-room with a kitchen, WC and a shower on the ground floor.
The wood-burning stove not only heats very well, but also gives a nice and cosy atmosphere.
Outside the chalet are the pastures of the horses with direct access to the woods and the river "La Tille", running below.
Meals
All meals are served at table. Breakfast and dinners are at the riding centre, lunch usually is a cold buffet served in a nice place on the ride.
Lunch : Mixed salad (except in winter time), saucissages, ham, cheese and season fruits.
Aperitif, wine and coffee.
Dinner : starter, hot meal, cheese, dessert. plat cuisiné chaud, fromage,
dessert.
Aperitif, wine and coffee.
Dinners are generally taken at the riding centre, aperitifs and wine are unlimited. Meals are traditional French cuisine : Pot-au-feu (boiled beef with vegetables), Potée (boiled meat with cabbage), Tartiflette (roasted potatoes with bacon, onions and baked cheese).
DATES AND RATES
2013 - Weekend
in Burgundy in the land of the 3 Rivers
On request from March 9th to November 15th: 2 days / 1 night
- Protection of the French Law for travel consumers who book through French travel agencies (see "why ride with us ?").
Not included
- transport from and to Dijon tramway station "Valmy' (optional return transfers = 10€/person,
- any other service or optional visit entries, personal expenses,
- tips,
- a tour to discover other regions of France before or after the
trail (castle life, golf training, thalassotherapy spas...), see
our "after ride proposals".
LANGUAGE
English / French speaking guide, with some knowledge of German, Italian and Swedish.
GROUP SIZE
Groups of minimum 4 to 12 riders.
MEETING POINT
First day
08:45 am at the riding centre 25 km north of Dijon.
Optional transfer from Dijon tramway station VALMY the evening before (around 07:30/08:00
p.m.)
Last day
Individual departure around 06:00 pm.
Optional transfer drop-off at Dijon tramway station VALMY around 06:30 p.m.)
CLIMATE
Burgundy is dominated by the variations of western weather that characterises the whole of Western Europe.
In winter, there are frequent spells of fine, cold weather. In the summer, it is hot with a few welcome showers.
Autumn is generally a pleasant, sunny season, probably one of our most beautiful times, in which the colours of nature blend harmoniously with the gentle blue of the sky.
HEALTH
There are no specific health formalities and emergency medical treatment is as widely available in the country.
ENTRY FORMALITIES
A valid passport is required of all foreigners entering France, except people living from a Schengen agreement country for who a valid ID card is enough.
All foreign citizens who wish to come to France must be able to present regulatory proof of the purpose of their stay, means of support and accommodation. In some cases, they need a visa to enter France. Visas must be applied for before leaving for France at a French consular office.
France is a member of European Union. No visa is required for citizens of other EU states.
No visa is required for US visitors staying less than 3 months.
Please check these informations at your local French embassy.
Ride in France (Absolu Voyages SARL), 2 place Charles de Gaulle 38200 Vienne FRANCE - Phone : +33 437 02 2000 - Fax : +33 437 02 2500
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