Horseback Riding in France
VINEYARDS AND BEACHES OF BORDEAUX |
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The Gironde region, and its major port – Bordeaux, have a rich and varied cultural heritage, most famously known for its prestigious wine-producing chateaux and some of the world’s best Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Begin riding from the 12th century medieval village of St-Emilion, with an architectural legacy almost without equal, crossing the Gironde estuary by boat, and continuing on through the Médoc vineyards and its most famous chateaux; Latour, Lafite Rothschild and Mouton-Rothschild among others. Canter through miles of pine forests before ending on the sandy beaches of the Atlantic. Join us for a week of riding, wine tasting and gastronomic meals at three and four star chateaux and hotels.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | You will be met at the Bordeaux train station or airport and taken to your hotel in St. Emilion for the afternoon/evening. The medieval town of St. Emilion has one of the most important architectural heritages in Europe and it is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Standing proudly on the top of a hill overlooking the Dordogne valley, the village, with its sun baked, Roman tiled roofs, was built in the shape of an amphitheater. Visit a monolithic cellar in the village before enjoying your first wine tasting - a Grand Cru, before dinner at your hotel. |
| Day 2: | After breakfast and allocation of the horses, ride through the vineyards of the St. Emilion appellation, discovering beautiful chateaux like St Georges, Chateau des Tours and Laroque. The landscape is primarily vineyards, interspersed with mixed farming and occasional woodlands along gentle rolling hills. By mid-day arrive at the village of Monbadon with its XIV century medieval castle, for a delicious picnic lunch in the village. In the afternoon ride back to your hotel in St. Emilion where you have one more opportunity to walk around the village, or just relax at the pool before dinner and overnight. |
| Day 3: | This morning, transfer to the Citadelle de Bourg on the Gironde River, where you begin the days ride traveling north to the Citadelle de Blaye, built by Vauban in 1689 and set with star-shaped bastions. Ride along the river and through vineyards before enjoying lunch in the village, with a bottle of Côte de Blaye Cru Bourgeois. In the afternoon you will take the horses on a boat to cross the Gironde estuary (approx 30 minutes). Arriving at Port Lamarque, you set off to the day’s destination, your first Médoc vineyard, for another visit and tasting before transferring to your hotel for the evening. |
| Day 4: | Continue through the Médoc region, riding past many of the most prestigious and beautiful chateaux of the area; Chateau Lanessan, Beaucaillou, Pichon-Longueville, Latour and Lafitte Rothschild, to name a few. Stopping at Chateau Lanessan for a picnic lunch on the grounds, you will take moment to visit their horse museum before enjoying a taste of their wine during the lunch. In the afternoon, you visit the famous Chateau Pichon-Longueville. End your riding day at the Hotel Chateau Pomys, which is also classified Cru Bourgeois appellation St Estèphe. Enjoy their wines during dinner at their restaurant. It is possible to arrange a massage here with a two week advance booking. Please advise Equitours if you wish a booking made.
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| Day 5: | Ride to Chateau Loudenne, a charming pink manor house from the 17th century with its 18th century Victorian cellar and a remarkable view upon the Gironde estuary. Share a picnic in the garden while enjoying the chateau’s wine. In the afternoon you leave behind the last of the vineyards and ride across miles of marshland, used primarily as pasture for horses and cattle, before arriving at your four star hotel for the next two nights. Enjoy the evening’s meal, where you will again have the opportunity to try some of the area’s specialties and wines. |
| Day 6: | Today you ride mostly through the sandy pine forests of the region, with opportunities for some nice canters, followed by a wonderful picnic lunch under the trees. In the afternoon, arrive at the sandy beaches and dunes along this portion of the Atlantic Ocean, and enjoy a long canter along the sea before returning through the forest. Return to the charming hotel of the previous evening for your farewell dinner with wines of the region, and final night of the ride. |
| Day 7: | After breakfast transfer to Bordeaux railway station or airport. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Bordeaux |
| Length of Ride | 7 days, 6 nights and 5 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-6 |
| Riding Per Day | 4 - 6 hours |
| Pace | Moderate with canters |
| Tack | Western, English, McClellan |
| Horses | Hardy mixed breeds |
| Weight Limit | 190 lbs |
| 2010 Dates | May 30-June 5, *Sept 12-18, Sept 19-25
*New date |
| 2010 Price | $3,220
NEW DISCOUNTED PRICE: $2,845 |
| Single Supplement | $620 NEW PRICE: $550 |
| Transfers | Included from Bordeaux at specific times |
| Additional Information | Chateaux/vineyards entrance fees and wine tasting costs not include. |
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