8 Day Horse Riding Tour to Medieval Castels, Cities, Vineyards, and Coast in Aquitaine, France
Endurance and Horse Riding Tour France
When traveling across New Aquitaine, abounding with breathtaking natural landscapes, be ready for a deep cultural and historical immersion. A noteworthy architectural heritage counts hundreds of medieval fortresses with carved ramparts and gorgeous castles sheltering exclusive wineries. Fine wines are served here to meet all tastes, yours inclusively. Centre Équestre le Marina will lead you during one week on the discovery of 6 different parts of Aquitaine, from Fortified Castles, jewels of Perigord: Bonaguil - Chateau de Biron, to St Cirq Lapopie - Rocamadour; then from the vineyard of Sauternes in the heart of Gironde to the Atlantic Coast and the Landes Forest.
Key Information
- Tack type: English Tack
- Horse breed: Anglo-Arabs or Race Horses
Highlights
- 6 days of riding, 2 - 7 hours daily
- 5 different departments of Aquitaine: Lot, Dordogne, Lot et Garonne, Gironde, Landes
- Sportive trail, culture, and nature in the southwest of France
- 2 endurance days of 45 and 40 kilometers during the week
- 1 day on endurance rhythm, making 45 kilometers in around 7 hours
- Day trip in the hugest forest in Europe and on the Atlantic beaches
- Visit and wine testing of one famous Vineyards of Aquitaine: Chateau Filhot (Sauternes)
- 7 nights accommodation with daily meals
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Types
6 days with instruction in English
Average daily hours of activity: 4.5
Accommodation
Gite de charme *** and Guest House with Chambres d’hôtes ***
- 4 nights in a Gite de Charme ***. The Hameau du Peyrié is a very luxurious manor house with a private pool.
- 3 nights in the Guest House *** of the riding center with a swimming pool
This trip offers bedrooms for single, double, double twin, and shared bedrooms from 3 to 4 beds. No single supplement for people alone when they want a shared bedroom, or if we do not have riders to share with them.
Program
A Bit of History
In 1152, the marriage of Eleanor and Henry of Plantagenet led the Aquitaine region into a long conflict, the 100 Years' War. Numerous walled towns and castles were built during this period to meet the strategic, political, and economic requirements.
You are invited on this journey back in time, roaming on the back of brave steeds. Through deeper and deeper, yet thick, harmonious, and mellow valleys, you will venture forward through this magnificent forest that served as a refuge for serfs, and a maze of ancient paths.
First Part
Stationary program of 5 nights/4 days riding. Returning each evening except one night at the Manor house “Hameau du Peyrié.” This guest house, situated at the border of 3 different departments of France: Lot - Lot et Garonne - Dordogne, offers the opportunity to discover new terrain, new landscapes, and new vegetation every day, leading you through history from Bastides to Fortified Castles.
Second Part
- Lunch and half-day ride through the “Sauternes Vineyard.”
Third Part
2 nights/2 days riding on the Atlantic Coast with a 2-day trip tour. Riders return each evening to the Equestrian Guest House.
Program
Day 1: Arrival Day in Périgord on Sunday
- 12:00 Start from Mimizan or Bordeaux Airport for those arriving by plane or train. Then drive to Bonaguil and arrival at the beautiful manor house “The Hameau du Peyrié.”
- 18:30 Discovery of the horses, relaxing evening beside the swimming pool
- 20:30 Dinner at the restaurant, sharing a medieval meal.
Day 2: Full Day Ride in Dordogne (5 to 6 Hours on Horse)
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 08:30 Discovery of the horses for the riders and time to test how they react at the different paces.
- 09:00 Start for a full day of quick evolution in the chestnut tree forest, wonderful ground for long canters. The goal of that day is also the preparation for the endurance rhythm of the third day, with the added advantage of the local and typical Périgord architecture built from natural stone.
- 12:00 Lunch at the feet of the Castle of Sauveterre
- 15:00 On the way back to the guest house, the famous Bonaguil Castle, a genuine great work of military architecture, the last of the great fortified castles in France. That castle has never been besieged and remains in perfect preservation.
- 19:00 Relaxing time beside the swimming pool of Gîte de Charme Le Hameau du Peyrié
- 20:30 Dinner
Day 3: Day Ride in Lot Around St Cirq Lapopie (4 Hours on Horse)
- 08:30 Start with the horse trailer and minibus to the medieval village of St Cirq Lapopie, a place of exception, unique in the world! Classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France, it was also elected as the favorite village of the French after “Rocamadour.” Straight out of the Middle Ages, this village is partially listed as a historical monument!
- 10:00 Visit of the village by foot
- 12:00 Lunch with the horses at the feet of the village along the river
- 13:00 Trek on the bank of the Lot River with one passage unique in the world. Ascent to the summit above the village and crossing of a forest straight out of a Grimm's fairy tale.
- 17:00 Traversée du village de St Cirq Lapopie pour rejoindre les berges du Lot
- 18:00 On the road again to the guest house de Lagardelle
- 20:30 Dinner in the guest house
Day 4: Day Ride in Lot Around Rocamadour (4 Hours on Horse)
New landscapes in the causses of Quercy, located in the northeast of Aquitaine, and 4 hours of evolution in the gorges of L'Ouysse to discover another gem of the Middle Ages: Rocamadour. A vertical city carved into the rock, guarded by a series of fortified gates with winding streets.
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:00 On the horse again in a new setting, the gorges of L'Ouysse
- 14:00 Lunch with the horses at the feet of the city
- 15:30 Visit of Rocamadour by foot
- 17:00 On the way to Bonaguil and the guest house
- 20:30 Dinner in the guest house
Day 5: Endurance Day in Lot et Garonne (7 Hours on Horse)
- 07:30 Breakfast
- 09:00 Early start for the endurance day trip of 45 km, passing by the fortified Bastide of St Front sur Lémance and Lacapelle Biron. The rhythm changes frequently, making the journey short and exciting.
- 12:30 Lunch at the “Auberge of Castel of Biron”
- 14:00 Visit of the fine and noble Castle of Biron
- 15:30 Long and quick ride in the afternoon, passing by the Bastide of St Avit, then the proud Castle of Gavaudun, later the deep chestnut tree forest of Cuzorn with some unexpected viewpoints on the Lot valley.
- 19:00 The group is back to Bonaguil and the manor house.
- 20:30 Dinner with a sharing of the day's good feelings
Day 6: Transfer to Mimizan with a Halt, Lunch and Riding in the Sauternes Vineyard in Gironde (2 Hours on Horse)
- 08:00 Breakfast and time to pack the luggage
- 10:00 Departure for Sauternes (2 hours drive through Lot et Garonne) and reach the new department of La Gironde, internationally known for its Bordeaux white wine.
- 12:30 Lunch
- 15:00 2-hour ride through the famous vineyards – Château Yquem, Château Trillon, Château Giraud
- 17:00 Visit of Château Filhot cellar and wine tasting
- 18:00 Transfer to Mimizan
- 19:00 Relaxing time in the new guest house around the swimming pool
- 20:30 Dinner
Day 7: Mimizan - Areilhan - Mimizan Beach (4.5 Hours on Horse)
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 More relaxing day ride, spending lunchtime on the pretty shore of the Aureilhan Lake and ending the ride in the evening with sunset on the beach.
- 20:30 Dinner
Day 8: Departure on Sunday
Transfer back to Bordeaux Airport by crossing the city center of Bordeaux, time permitting, before clients depart.
General Trip Information
Age
Adults only.
Level: For experienced to advanced riders.
This ride requires riders in good physical condition. The speed of the trail is sustained, and the sequences of trots and gallops are frequent. It is important to be able to cover 40 to 45 km a day in an average time of 6 to 7 hours riding. A minimum of 30 meters distance between horses should be maintained during faster sequences.
To provide more comfort and avoid dust, trotting or galloping is generally done individually or in pairs, whether in forest or on the beach. Some group gallops on the beach are, of course, available.
For riders who have not practiced horse riding in a few months, it is advised to ride in the week preceding the stay. Finally, it is strongly recommended to bring Arnica (homeopathic) for continuous use along the way to ensure better enjoyment of the stay.
Horses and Tack
35 horses at the equestrian center, mostly Anglo-Arabs or racehorses. They are safe, brave, easygoing, well-trained, and well-balanced horses living in herds and outdoors. They form nice and friendly connections with humans. Tack is English-style saddles of very good quality, adapted for trail riding.
Leader Supervision and Security
English-speaking guide with a good knowledge of Landes and Périgord, who will be concerned with making you discover this lovely country in the southwest of France.
Location
You will be taken to the renowned gems of Périgord: Bonaguil, Biron, Gavaudun, the Sauternes vineyard, the medieval village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, and Europe's largest forest of maritime pines. You’ll also visit France's longest sandy beach, located in Les Landes.
Distances
- Sauternes to Mimizan - 1 hour
- Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) to Mimizan, 70 miles - 1 hour 30 minutes
- Bonaguil to Sauternes - 2 hours
- Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) to Bonaguil, 100 miles - 2 hours and 30 minutes
Food
This horse riding tour offers special meals for vegetarians and gluten-free diets, but not vegan. You will enjoy traditional food from Périgord or Landes.
In Périgord
The first Sunday evening, the dinner is taken in a restaurant at the feet of the Bonaguil Castle. This dinner is not included to allow customers to appreciate the large choice on the menu or to test the medieval main course! The other dinners are organized by the Riding Centre and shared in the Guest House.
Wine and soft drinks are provided at all lunches and dinners organized by the Riding Centre. Our customers will have the opportunity to taste various wines from Aquitaine every evening. ¼ of wine, or soda, and tea or coffee are included.
In Mimizan
Dinners are cooked and served on-site at the Guest House. ¼ litre of wine, soda, tea, or coffee are included in lunches or dinners. All extra drinks must be paid for by the client at the end of the week.
Dinner on the Arrival Day
Dinner on the arrival day is not included.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- 6 days of horse riding
- 2 wine tastings
- 7 nights accommodation
- Full board meals and drinks
- Services of an English-speaking guide
- Use of horses and tack
What's not included
- Additional drinks and meals
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Personal expenses
- First-day dinner
- Federal license (40 EUR)
- Individual accident insurance (40 EUR)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer available for additional US$ 58 per person
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport
140 km away from your destination
Arrival by Airplane
The transfer fee is 50 EUR per person for one way, 100 EUR per person for round trip. Transfers from and to the airport are available every Sunday for 2 to 8 riders. The start of this trip is from Mimizan to Mimizan.
The meeting point is at the guest house at 11:30, Route de Baleste, Mimizan Bourg. The bus departs from Mimizan at 12:00 to pick up riders arriving at Bordeaux Airport or the railway station.
For those arriving by train or plane to Bordeaux, the meeting point is at the Airport Hall A at the “Meeting Point” at 14:00, then in front of the railway station at 15:00.
You are kindly asked to plan your flight departure from Bordeaux for after 13:00. Departure from Mimizan at 08:30 means arrival at the airport at 11:00.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 21 days before arrival.
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