FRANCE ON HORSEBACK |
Horse riding tours and equestrian holidays in France |
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Since 1998, Ride in France is dedicated to horse riding tours and equestrian holidays in France.
Ride in France is part of Randocheval, the leading French equestrian agency, which offers rides in more than 50 countries. We even have our own travel agency in Mongolia!
No need to say that our team of French horse lovers has the best knowledge about horseback holidays in our own homeland!
Be ready for the equestrian adventure of a lifetime in France!
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Whether you are dreaming of fairy castles or enjoying French cuisine and wines, we have a ride for you! Discover our "special interest rides" to find your dream equestrian vacation in France ...
Read carefully all the information about our tours. Once you have chosen your ride, contact us to check the availability.
We will send you a booking form, you just have to fill it and send it back.
Payment is done very easily through wire transfer or credit card. You will receive the voucher and all necessary information as soon as the booking and payment has been completed.
It is important that you prepare your riding holidays to make the most of your equestrian adventure!
The following pages should answer all your questions about France, French horses and how to prepare your horseback vacation. Feel free to contact us if you need more detailed information.
French riders trying and trusting horse riding tours in France, it says it all !
We offer a top selection of the best rides in France. We offer a unique choice of ...
6 days a week, our 8 riding holidays experts are here to help you. They have tested ...
When you book through Ride in France, you are sure to get the best value for money ...
Unlimited Financial Guarantee of your payments, and protection of ...
Ride in France has been created in 1998 by Sabine et Thomas Grataloup, two horse lovers.
Today 8 experts help you to choose the best ride for you in France : Anne, Claire, Dominique, Julie, Laurie, Mathilde, Sabine and Thomas!
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Between Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, come discover the Médoc region or "Little Camargue of Bordeaux" at horse pace, its history, its curiosities, its colored fauna & flora. |
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Come share an adventure and play truant in the Medoc. This break is all about roaming around and taking it easy. Unlike an itinerary, roaming has no precise goal, it is a holiday driven by curiosity. Each site is worth seeing, discovering, understanding... and invites you to continue your stroll ! You will enjoy the atmosphere of Medoc region's villages and discover the local lifestyle, history, culture and identity.
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If you have never ride outdoor, or if you want to ride again confidently, making a calm and distracting riding trail on well-trained horses and in a friendly atmosphere, this formula is for you! Some of you need to bring back confidence with kind horses.
Day 1
The riders are welcomed at the stud farm at 9am. They visit the place, and have a first contact with the horses and the staff having a coffee.
This morning, we discover our horse and the different manners to communicate with him, as well as its behavior with us and its counterparts. If you want, you can take care of your horse every day. First, you will groom it, and then, you will put the bridle and saddle. We will teach how to put this horse equipment. Finally, we have a first riding experience in the farm’s manege, and then, we ride outdoor in the swamps and alongside the Gironde estuary. We teach you the first outdoor riding notions, respecting your rhythm and without apprehension.
For lunch, we have a rural meal in the stud farm. We taste terroir products and a Medoc wine.
In the afternoon, we ride to discover the swamp for about 3hours. The guide teaches you how to control the speed of your horse, how to manage the balance on your horse, and then, he teaches you the trot, and perhaps, how to canter... In late afternoon, we ride back to the stud farm and have a good relax. We visit the Hourcade Medoc wine Castle, and taste Medoc wines.
Dinner and night in a 2* hotel.
Day 2
After breakfast, the guide teaches you the basic trail approaches, such as, the reading of a map, the use of the compass, and the riding traffic rules. Then, we start riding for approximately three hours through the wild Medoc plains and swamps. We ride to the "Lande Girondine" forest, a wide man-made pine trees forest 150 years ago to stop the expansion of the sand. We ride through the winding paths where we can hear the waves’ noise in the distance. In front of us, we enjoy 40 Kms of beaches to canter up to the Verdon "the end of the land".
We have a picnic lunch on the beach. In the afternoon, we relax on the beach with our horses and ride at the rhythm of the group, following to improve our skills at the three gaits. The bravest of you can enjoy this moment to have their first cantering on the beach! Then, we reach the St James of Compostela way, and ride back to the hotel in Soulac to enjoy a last drink.
Individual departure of the riders from 6pm.
| NOVICE RIDERS WEEK-ENDS (2 days / 1 night) - 2024 | ||
| No departure in 2024 | ||
- Transport to arrive at the start point of the riding tour
- The transfers
- The other drinks
- Registration fees of 15 € per person
- Any other services
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Optional insurance: more information
Horses
During these riding tours, you will ride saddle horses: Anglo-Arabian, Arabian, and French saddle. They are very well trained and used in the pony club by every riding ability children and adults, and also for trail. They are also used for training the equestrian tourism guides. They are calm and safe.
Tack
We use comfortable Forestier, Devoucoux and Norton trail saddle. We have also two Western saddles available upon request.
Saddlebags and holsters are not provided on this riding tour, you can bring yours if you want (saddle pad with pockets is provided).
Recommended riding ability
These week-ends are for people who want to discover the riding trail. They are suitable if you already have some riding basis. However, you can come, even if you don't have any outdoor basis, or if you are a beginner. These week-ends are also perfect for you, if you desire to ride again in a safe, calm and funny atmosphere riding kind horses.
Good to know
- Maximum weight: 100 kg
- Minimum age: 16 years old with or without accompanist.
- Helmet is not compulsory but highly recommended. The equestrian centre can lend you one.
Alexandra (or a member of her team) is your equestrian tourism guide.
Her long experience trailing will ensure you the best conditions.
A logistic vehicle carries your luggage, meals and material, and joins us for lunch and dinner.
Accommodation
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Your accommodation is a 2* hotel or a guesthouse. There are double bedrooms with a private bathroom. In many accommodations a swimming pool is available in summer time. Your bedroom leads you directly in the garden and the atmosphere is calm and pleasant. You can have a single bedroom with an extra charge upon request and availability. If you arrive by train, it is compulsory to be here the day before the start of the riding tour. |
Meals
For lunch, you will have rural, strong, varied, hot or cold picnics depending on the season. They are prepared by the logistic staff.
You will have dinner in the hotels or guesthouses.
For lunch, you have wine and aperitif included. For dinner, you only have wine included.
If you are intolerant or allergic to certain food, please tell us when subscribing for us to be able to prepare adapted meals for you.
Languages spoken by the guide: English / French speaking guide.
Group size: from 1 to 10 riders. A minimum of 2 riders is compulsory for the free-choice formula
Arrival airport / train station:
Meeting point directly at the start point of the riding tour at 9am on day 1.
Departure in late afternoon, at about 6pm, on the last day.
If you want to arrive by train, someone will pick you at Bordeaux St Jean train station. In this case, plan to arrive from 5pm the day before, and to leave in the morning the day after the end of the riding tour (plan an extra night).
For this transfer service, you will have to pay an extra charge of 50€ round-trip.
Transfer from Soulac sur Mer are for free.
It is the perfect place to spend some days riding on the beach and on the seaside and/or to taste many Grands Crus. In spite of the wide beaches, the Medoc region stays wild and you will find a familial and friendly atmosphere. |
"Alexandra loves and knows her horses very well. She knows how to share her experience and to adapt the gait depending on the most beginner of the group. We also met a really interesting winegrower. Really nice initiation but tiring. I was hesitant to do a week but I think I will stay on a 2 days formula. " - Françoise L. (2018)
100% beach :
"Diverse landscapes, a breath of fresh air. Comfortable saddle. Really great horse. 2 really nice hotels." Muriel. G - 2014
Beaches and Vineyards :
"Warm, friendly and professional welcome. Nice trail, beautiful landscapes. A lot of very different horses for all kinds of riders." Raphaël. B - 2014
"The guide is a real professional and she takes good care of her horses. A remarkable and nice person." Anny. R - 2012
2 days / 1 night / 2 days on horseback
OLERON ISLANDWeekend on the Oleron Island |
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CORSICARide to the discovery of Corsica's lakes and mountains. |
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NORMANDYTonic equestrian escape in Mont Saint Michel Bay |
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+33 437 02 2000
