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BURGUNDY : ENDURANCE RIDE - LAKES OF THE MORVAN...

The Morvan is a regional park in the center of Burgundy that will astonish you by the diversity of landscapes and the uncountable miles of unpaved country roads perfectly suited for outdoor riding.   30 to 40 miles journeys, long and frequent canters, abrupt down hill passages and lakes will be the joy of sporty outdoor riders.  Lovers of history will not be disappointed either.  This region is a green desert, far away from busy highways and, a long time ago, crossed by migrating helvets. Julius Cesar and Vercingétorix fought their war in this region. Bibracte witnessed the times of the Celt civilization in Europe. Bernard de Clervaux preached at Vézelay during his second crusade.  We honor the memory of Vauban when we cross his tomb and we will remember the times when wood used to float down the rivers Cure and Yonne towards Paris. Adventure, relaxation, strong emotions, sensations and gastronomy will make this week an unforgettable trip.

RIDE ITINERARY

Day 1 - Saturday

Arrival at the riding center. Welcoming dinner and night at a close by hotel. Presentation of the itinerary, the horses and the riding style.

Day 2 - Sunday

For this first day we start in the direction of lake "Settons" passing through the forest of Anost where we will have lunch at the Poterons pique-nique area. The scenery of today is called the "green desert" as it is not rare to come across human beings only once we stop on the peaceful banks of the lake "Settons" in a typical Morvan hotel, for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - Monday

Today we will come across an extreme variety of grounds: our horses become salmons to go up the rivers, mouflons to climb up the rock of la Perouse and will offer us unforgettable memories of the breathtaking scenery. At the end of the day we arrive in the village of "Dun les Places" where we will stop for dinner and overnight in a hostel.

Day 4 - Tuesday

This morning we start for an itinerary of nearly 60km in the direction of Vezelay our goal for tonight, following the banks of the river Cure.
Vezelay remains nowadays a mystical city, starting point of the pilgrimage route of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. The pilgrims' donations allowed the construction of St. Madeleine's basilica and it is from Vezelay that Bernard of Clervaux preached the second crusage. But after a tiring day on horseback, we will have time to recover first and have a good night's sleep before visiting the place tomorrow morning.

Day 5 - Wednesday

We spend the morning walking and visiting Vezelay.  We only have a short ride to reach Pierre Perthuis and its famous two bridges for lunch break.  The afternoon ride, 25 to 30 miles, will allow us to enjoy long runs that will take us to Château de Lantilly in approximately 3 hours where we appreciate a welcoming dinner and night at the Château.

Day 6 - Thursday

After a hearty breakfast we leave the castle for lake Pannessiere where we enjoy a swim with the horses (if the weather and the temperatures allow) and a nice lunch. In the afternoon our ride will bring us to Château Chinon where we have dinner and overnight in a nice hotel.

Day 7 - Friday

This morning we head towards Bibracte, the biggest celtic site in Europe, situated on the top of Mount Beuvray at an altitude of 800m, the highest spot of the ride. For dinner and night we will be in the village of Arleuf.

Day 8 - Saturday

A journey through the forest and up and down the hills will take us back to the riding center.  Dinner at the center and night at the same hotel where you stayed the first night.

Day 9 - Sunday
Departure after breakfast, or transfer to the train station.

HORSES, TACK AND RIDING EXPERIENCE

Horses The horses on this trail are mostly arabs or arab crosses born at our stables. They are used to the ground, calm if you wish to and sporty for the experienced rider. Some "oversize" horses are available for the heavier riders.   Tack Trail saddles, saddlebags provided. We ask you to brush, saddle and unsaddle your horse.   Required riding level   As the days on horseback are very long, riders have to able to be comfortable at all paces. We do not accept beginners or intermediate riders. It is very important to be well trained and already have experience in weekly trail rides.   This endurance ride requires to be able to make long trots and long canters (even downhills). Maximum weight : 100 kg   We keep the right to refuse any rider who finally does not have sufficient riding abilities. In that case, the trail will not be refundable.

YOUR GUIDES

Guiding

The ride is guided by a qualified, French and English speaking riding guide who perfectly knows the region and will have a great pleasure to make you discover the place.

Logistic

Our back-up vehicle carries the luggage and meals and joins us for lunch break and in the evenings.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation

You will sleep in typical regional small hotels where you will find a comfortable bed and a warm shower to recover after a long riding day.

Meals

Evening meals will be taken at the hotel.  Lunch will be generous, inspired by traditional country cooking, warm or cold according to the weather.  At noon, it is always a pleasure to see from far away a well-dressed table, in the middle of a field, waiting for us.

DATES AND RATES

Single supplement : 250 € (applies only of you absolutely ask for a single room)

- the trail ride as described on full board basis, with accommodation in double room,

- 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 ?").

- transport to and from the riding centre,

- drinks,

- any other service,

- personal expenses,

- any other service or optional visit entries,

- 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".

- optional insurances.

BOOKING - MORE INFORMATION

Contact Anne, the specialist for this horse riding tour ...

GENERAL INFORMATION

Meeting point directly to the riding centre.

Meeting point is directly at the riding center or transfer possible from Autun train station.

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.