This riding tour combines the most important Renaissance castles: Cheverny, Chambord, Chaumont sur Loire and Chenonceau... These castles are located between the Cher and the Loire valleys. The Loire is the last wild river in Europe, and recently listed as one of the Human World heritage by the UNESCO. |
Day 1 : Arrival
Arrival from 6:30pm. First contact with your guide and horses. Dinner and night in a guest house.
Day 2 : Chambord
Today, we leave Courmemin to ride through the Grande Sologne. We have lunch alongside the Beuvron in Bracieux, under the Sainte-Nicaise small church from the XIVth Century. In early afternoon, we discover our first castle, one of the most considerable in the Loire valley: the Chambord Castle. After a free visit of Chambord (about 1hr30), we ride to the Villesavin Castle where horses have a good sleep!
Dinner and night in a hotel ** in Tour en Sologne.
Day 3 : Beauregard
First, we ride to the Beauregard small Castle from the XVth Century, and stop for lunch. After a free visit of Beauregard (about 1hr), you progressively leave the Sologne to enter in Touraine and join the Ouchamp village. Dinner and night at the hotel ***
Day 4 : Chaumont sur Loire
We leave Ouchamp and ride through the Beuvron in Candé. In late morning, we ride alongside the Loire and the wonderful Chaumont sur Loire Castle overhanging the river. We have lunch nearby the castle and a free visit of the castle (about 1hr30). Then, we ride alongside the Val de Loire to the village of Rilly sur Loire where horse have a good sleep! Dinner and night in the domain of Thomeaux in Mosnes***
Day 5 : the Clos Lucé
We leave Mosnes and follow riding alongside the Loire to arrive at Amboise and admire the outside of its castle perched on the hills of the town. We have lunch in the Clos Lucé, the former house of the famous Leonard De Vinci. Here is a museum for his inventions. Then, we have a free visit of the castle (about 1hr). Then, we leave the Loire toward the South East to reach the Cher River and the Chenonceaux Castle hanging over both rivers. Dinner and night in a hotel at Chenonceaux***
Day 6 : Chenonceau
In early morning, we have a free visit of the Chenonceaux Castle (about 1hr). Then, we have a complete change of scenery riding through the GR of the castles’ land which leaves the Cher River to cross the Montrichard forest. We have lunch in the countryside, and then, we ride to Ouchamp.
Dinner and night in the Relai des Landes***
Day 7 : Cheverny
We leave Ouchamp and the Touraine landscapes to progressively rediscover those of the Sologne. We have lunch under the Cheverny Castle, a model which inspired the famous Hergé’s Moulinsart. Then, we have a free visit of the castle (about 1hr), and ride to Courmemin through many game parks where you may see animals if you are lucky, such as stags, does or boars. We arrive at the equestrian center at about 6pm and everyone leaves from 7pm.
Important: The above itinerary is provided on an indicative basis and our guide reserves the right to modify the itinerary depending on the condition of paths and the seasons.
Historic Castle Horse Ride - 2024 (long ride) | ||
April 26 to May 02 | ||
May 24 to 30 | Full | |
June 28 to July 04 | Full | |
September 20 to 26 | Full | |
October 18 to 24 | 1890 € | last 3 places > book it ! |
Historic Castle Horse Ride - 2024 (short ride = day 1 to 5) | ||
April 26 to 30 | Full |
|
May 24 to 28 | Full | |
June 28 to July 02 | Full | |
September 20 to 24 | Full | |
October 18 to 22 | 1295 € | last 3 places> book it ! |
Supplement & Option | |
Single room supplement - compulsory if you travel alone, refunded if you accept to share and we find someone to do so | 330 € (7 days)
220€ (4 days) |
Extra night before or after the ride (to be paid on spot) including night, diner and breakfast | 90 € / pers. for sharing room or 150 € for single room |
- The above described tour on a full board basis,
- The financial guarantee of funds deposited in Ride in France,
- Transfer from and to the meeting place,
- Registration fees of 15 € per person,
- Any other services,
- Drinks,
- Visits and excursions,
- Any supplement to the menus,
- Personal expenses,
- Optional insurances : For more information click here.
We have Franche Montagne horse breed or mix between Franch montagne and purebreed arabian Horses born in our equestrian centre. They are touched from birth and are trained according to the John Lyons behaviorist approach. They all practice trek competitions, and are consequently well-adapted to trail! They are tall and strong. They will be your best friend.
Saddle
English or trail saddles with saddlebags included.
If needed, bring your own seat saver.
We want riders who feel at ease outdoor at the three gaits, and who are able to trail for 5 to 6 hours at a varied speed a day depending on the step (25 to 40 km carried out per day). On an indicative basis, we ask the riders to have a Gallop 3 minimum grade to do these trails.
You will have to groom, saddle, unsaddle and participate to the horse’s care (feed, water, give a shower).
Good to know
Max. Weight : 100 kg - 220 lb
Minors from 10 years old are accepted if accompanied by an adult and if they have the necessary riding ability.
Helmet is compulsory!
The non riders are welcome on these riding tours. They follow th itnerary on bike ( location to be paid on spot). We give them IGN map.
Sophie and Ken, international trek multi-medallists and horse professionals (breeders, ethiopath, ethologist, equestrian teacher...), will be your guides.
They will guide you and make you discover the region and its secrets.
They speak French and English.
Accommodation
Comfortable guesthouses or hotels, generally with a bathroom and a WC in the bedroom. The accommodation is a double bedroom. The extra charge for a single bedroom is compulsory for any person subscribing alone, but we will refund it to you if you accept to share your room and if we find someone to do so.
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Meals Breakfastq are taken at the hotels. The dinners served at the hotels restaurants are traditional dishes related to the local gastronomy (drinks are not included). Lunch is provided by our stewardship, picnics are country meals with mixed meats and salads (aperitifs and wines included). We stop for about two hours. The team ensures the organization of picnics and the evening stage, sometimes a little help can be welcome! |
Languages spoken by the guide: French and English
Group size: 4 to 10 riders
A riding tour is possible from 3 riders with an extra charge of 550 € / person
Arrival airport / train station: Transfers are possible from Blois-Chambord train station as follow :
- train arriving between 18h and 19h the first day or the day before if you book the short ride
- plan a train leaving after 19h30 on last day whatever the itinerary you booked.
The extra charge will be around 40 € to divide depending on the number of people.
It is possible to book an extra night the day before the start of the riding tour for 100 € / person. Details are available in your travel book.
Extend your stay: There are many possibilities to extend your stay. In fact, you can enjoy a huge range of different activities, such as visiting many castles and museum. You may also discover troglodyte sites, and enjoy a balloon or helicopter ride over these amazing places.
Franche Montagne horses are used to be calm and strong, and are nowadays more and more nice pleasure horses. They are trained using the ethological approach by the guides who welcome you, and you will be safe and comfortable riding these horses to visit sites which are one of the most beautiful of our heritage! |
4 to 7 days / 3 to 6 nights / 4 to 6 days of riding
AQUITAINEWine tasting ride in Bordeaux region. |
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LOT & QUERCYEquestrian and Cultural Comfort Stay |
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MEDOC
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