Horseback Riding in France
CASTLES, CLIFFS AND CAVES RIDE |
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Riding will be in a region of spectacular scenery considered by National Geographic to be one of the world’s last unspoiled and undiscovered earthly paradises. Fertile lands of the Lot et Garonne department lead to very wooded upper lands of Quercy where riding is on trails through thickly forested areas. Then climb higher up into the cliffs, way above the Lot River with breathtaking views of the surrounding country and below. The superb prehistoric caves of Pech-Merle decorated with Magdalenian paintings will be visited. Riding northeast, follow the picturesque Célé valley past troglodyte houses to the village of Saulliac sur Célé, nestled against the towering cliffs. This area is known not only for its rugged beauty, history, culture and the fine cuisine of the region - cheese, excellent wine, truffles and foie gras.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Meet at Agen Railway Station at 4:00 pm and transfer to your country hotel with a swimming pool and beautiful grounds (about a 40 minute drive). Dinner will be a regional meal with excellent local wines.
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| Day 2: | Ride to Montaigu de Quercy for a picnic lunch. This is a splendid example of a medieval village with its typical half-timbered, white stone houses unique to the Quercy region. After a picnic lunch continue on to Montcuq, capital of the white Quercy region. There will be time to visit the village before dinner and overnight at a small country house hotel just outside the village. |
| Day 3: | The ride is now in more remote country, climbing higher into the hills. After breakfast, the ride crosses the calcareous and wild plateau of the Lot with a midday stop at the small village of Labastide-Marnhac. After lunch continue through varied countryside, valleys and oak woods to arrive at an award winning vineyard for a visit and a tasting. After the wine tasting, you will be transferred to Lalbenque, a typical French village located in the center of the Quercy black truffle region. Dinner and overnight in a charming local hotel. |
| Day 4: | Today there is a short morning ride to the small village of Cremps. Enjoy a quiet walk around the village and its XII century church before another delicious picnic lunch. After lunch, head north through the village of Concots near the wondrous village of Saint Cirq Lapopie, perched on a cliff face with a commanding view of the Lot Valley, and to your hotel for the evening. Visit of the medieval village, and dinner and overnight at the hotel. |
| Day 5: | Ride along the Lot River and traverse the plateaus above the valley to arrive at the Chateau de Cenevieres, an XIth century chateau with impressive XIV century renovations, where you will have lunch. Enjoy a guided tour of the private chateau after lunch. In the afternoon ride back to Saint Cirq Lapopie for another evening in the lovely village. |
| Day 6: | A spectacular morning ride along the cliffs, crossing the Lot River, to the prehistoric caves of Pech-Merle, decorated with Magdalenian rupestrine (on the stone) paintings. Visit the caves after enjoying another picnic lunch. In the afternoon ride through the beautiful valley of Célé before stopping for the day in Saulliac sur Cele. The peaceful village of Saulliac sur Cele is built in the middle of a cirque of cliffs, with amazing troglodyte houses. The evening will be spent in a charming, rustic bed and breakfast on the outskirts of the village within this beautifully wild and remote valley. Take some time to soak up the tranquility before your farewell dinner in the private dining room of your chamber d’hote. |
| Day 7: | After breakfast transfer to either Agen or Cahors railway station. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Agen |
| Length of Ride | 7 days, 6 nights and 5 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-7 |
| Riding Per Day | 4-6 hours |
| Pace | moderate |
| Tack | Western, English trekking, McClellan |
| Horses | Hardy local breeds |
| Weight Limit | 190 lbs |
| 2008 Dates | May 25-31, Aug 24-30 |
| 2008 Price | €1663
Due to rapidly changing market please call for the current US dollar rate. |
| Single Supplement | $350 |
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