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MEDOC : HORSE RIDES BETWEEN BEACH AND VINEYARDS...

Between Gironde estuary and Atlantic Ocean, come to discover the Médoc region at horse pace, its history, its curiosities, its colored fauna & flora so called "Little Camargue of Bordeaux". Come and share in the adventure and play truant in the Médoc. This break is all about roaming and taking it easy. Unlike an itinerary, roaming has no precise destination, it is a holiday driven by curiosity. Each site has something to be seen, to be understood, opens new perspectives, and invites you to continue your stroll. You will meet landscapes, light, atmosphere, the places where the people of the Médoc live, their history, their culture, their identity and their way of life.

RIDE ITINERARY

2 DAYS RIDE BETWEEN BEACHES AND VINEYARDS

The ideal short trail for hedonistic riders wishing to mix their passion of horse riding and passion of wine. A trail between endlessly Aquitaine white sand beaches and vineyards where some renowned french Grands Crus are growing.

Day 1 - Saturday
Welcome at 9.00 am. Presentation of the riding center, horses and team over a coffee. First part of the day will be dedicated to the discovery of the marshes, in the so called "Médoc des mattes", where the region is under the sea level.
Where are moving on large savages plains where fauna and flora are well protected. Here grey herons, stroks and egrets offer us a continuous show.
The lunch break close to Richard lighthouse is the perfect occasion to taste the local gastronomy and wine.
After lunch a visit of the lighthouse and it's museum is organized. (about an 1 hour) and then we continue our ride through the villages and vinyeards of Jeau-Dignac and Loirac. By the end of the afternoon stop in a château to visit the vineyard and taste 3 vintage wines.
Way back to the riding center and transfer (1 km) to the hotel for the dinner and night in a 2 star hotel with wimming-pool.
5 hours in the saddle.


Day 2 - Sunday
Departure at 10.00 am for the riding center to the forest called "Landes Girondine", a huge pine forest created 150 years ago to counter sand dunes. From there we can already hear the ocean's roar while were cantering on the sandy paths. We finally get out of the forest and arrive on a 40 km beach until Soulac-le-Verdon.
Lunch break on the beach, a new occasion to taste the local dishes.
In the afternoon, the beach is our and we canter between ocean and dunes sting of thistles. We go back to the riding center using a part of the Way of St James. After having groomed our horses we have a last moment to rember the better moment of our week-end over a drink.
Departure from 6.00 pm.
5 hours on horseback.

2 DAYS RIDE - 100% BEACH

This well-named trail offer you a very exhilarant short break on the first beaches of the Silver coast. A short break of 100% pleasure : 50 % horse riding and 50% gastronomy !

Day 1 - Saturday
Welcome at 9.00 am. Presentation of the riding center, horses and team over a coffee. First part of the day will be dedicated to the discovery of the marshes, in the so called "Médoc des mattes", where the region is under the sea level.
Where are moving on large savages plains where fauna and flora are well protected. Here grey herons, stroks and egrets offer us a continuous show.
The lunch is taken in front of the beach and prepare us to the fantastic afternoon we are about to live. Long canter on the beach between the ocean and the dunes sting of thistles. We go back to the riding center on sandy pathes, under the pines of a forest created 150 years ago by mankind to counter the dunes. The more we move away from the beach the less we hear the ocean's roar.
Dinner and night in a 2 star hotel.
5 hours on horseback.


Day 2 - Sunday
After breakfast, we get into the saddle and go straight to the beach. It will be our playground for the whole morning !
Lunch on the beach with local products and wines of course.
After this stop we go back to the riding center following a possible route of the Way of St James called 'Soulac route'. This route is going along the aquitaine coast and we soon left it to get into the vineyards to join the riding center.
Departure possible from 6.00 pm.
5 hours in the saddle.

2 DAYS RIDE FOR NOVICE RIDERS

This short break is dedicated either to novice rider or riders who haven't been in saddle for a while and need to reassure themselves. It would be suitable if you have never rode and if you want to discover horseriding in total confidence in a cool atmopshere with qualified people.

Day 1 - Saturday
Welcome at 9.00 am. Presentation of the riding center, horses and team over a coffee.
This first half-day is dedicated to the approach and the discovery of the horse, the different way to communcate with him, his behaviour with the other horses and with the human being. First grooming of your horse before the introduction to the tack and how to saddle and put the bit.
Finally our horse is ready and so we are for our first step outside in the marshes and on the Girdone estuary edges. We go back to the center for a lunch of local products and good Médoc wine.
After lunch we go back to the marshes for a 2 hours ride and we start learning how to lead our horse and control his speed. We learn about balanced in the saddle and we might try some trot and even canter We arrive at Château de la Hourcade, a wine growing property and taste some wine.
Dinner and night in a two star hotel.


Day 2 - Sunday
After breakfast we get into the saddle and learn some technical elements of trail like reading a map, how to use a compass or how to behave on the road with a horse.We leave the riding center for the forest called "Landes Girondine", a huge pine forest created 150 years ago to counter sand dunes. From there we can already hear the ocean's roar while were cantering on the sandy paths. We finally get out of the forest and arrive on a 40 km beach until Soulac-le-Verdon.
Lunch break on the beach.
The afternoon is dedicated to relax on the beach with the horses where everyone of us can ride accordingly to his skills. The more brave can try their first canter on the beach !
We go back to the riding center using a part of the Way of St James. After having groomed our horses we have a last moment to rember the better moment of our week-end over a drink.
Departure from 6.00 pm.
5 hours on horseback.

HORSES, TACK AND RIDING EXPERIENCE

Horses
Different kind of horses are used for these trails, all experienced and safe.

Tack
We are using quality english tack. Two western saddles are available, please ask on booking.

No saddlebags provided but you can bring your own.

Riding experience
2 days ride between beaches and vineyards and 100% beaches
These trails are only suitable for experienced riders. You need to be confident at all paces (walk, trot, canter) to do these trails and preferably have some outdoor riding experience.
Each day you'll ride on 30 / 35 km, for 4 or 5 hours.


2 days ride for novice riders
These trails are suitable for all riders but are specially made for novice riders or for riders who haven't ride for a while and want to reassure themselves.

Maximum weight : 100 kg / 220 lb
Minimum age: 16 y.o with or without accompanying person.

YOUR GUIDES

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation
You'll be accommodated in a 2 star hotel on a double room basis with private facilities. The hotel have an outdoor swimming-pool (in summer only). All rooms have a garden view and are very quiet.
On demand and accordingly to availability we can offer you a single room with extra fees.
If you're travelling alone and if you agree to share your room no fees will be charged.
(cf. Options)

If you arrive by train, you have to spend the night before the train on site.

Nous pouvons vous proposer un logement en chambre double ou individuelle, en demi-pension dans un hôtel 2* doté d'une piscine. Consultez la rubrique Options ci dessous pour les tarifs.

Catering
Lunch are always taken outside and made of local products with good local wines. They are cold or hot depending of the season and brought by a suport vehicle.
Dinner are scheduled in hotel or guest house.
Apéritif and wine are included for lunch but only wine is included for dinner.

DATES AND RATES

- total and unlimited financial guarantee (APS) of all payments made to us (see "why ride with us ?"),

- protection of the French Law for travel consumers who book through French travel agencies (see "why ride with us ?")

BOOKING - MORE INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

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.