Overview

This ride provides you with an amazing opportunity to visit the majestic Châteaux’s of the Loire Valley and incorporate several of the most important Renaissance castles in the region. These impressive structures are part of the region’s rich architectural heritage and act as a reminder of the area’s popularity with French royalty and the bourgeoisie in days gone by. During one of the trails you will visit Chaumont sur Loire (15th century), Amboise (15th century) which was once the residence of several French kings, Chenonceau (known as the “Castle of the Ladies”), Cheverny (17th century) which has been owned by the same family for seven centuries and Chambord, the largest of all the castles built by François I.

There is also an option to visit the Castle of Blois which was built in the Middle Ages by the local counts and well worth a visit.

In addition to the castle sites you will have the pleasure of delicious picnics tasting local food and of course some great riding experiences, whether its galloping along beautiful trails or following along a winding riverbank. This is a wonderful trail for riders with an interest in history and architecture.

Accommodation & Meals

You will stay at various hotels and B&Bs during this trip. Price is based around sharing a double or twin room, though single rooms are available for a supplement. Nearly always there are bathrooms joined onto the bedrooms.

Full board meals are included. Dinners are in a traditional French regional style taken in restaurants and hotels along the route. Picnic lunches tend to be country meals involving cuts of cold meats, cheese and various mixed salads (including local wine).

Please note that appetisers and drinks are not included with dinners.

Details

  • Runs June & August
  • Set departures and private groups
  • Minimum 5 / Maximum 10 riders
  • Trail with progressive riding – Point-to-Point trail
  • 8 Days / 7 nights (6 days riding)
  • 5 hours riding per day
  • Suits intermediate to advanced riders
  • Weight limit – 100 kilos / 220 lbs

Riding Ability:
Riders must be at ease at all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter/gallop in a forward seat), on a varied, uneven terrain in open spaces. The experienced rider rides regularly, has good physical fitness, soft hands, a good attitude, and is a confident rider. You must be able to control the speed and direction of the horse in all circumstances and able to ride long distances including gallops of several minutes in open terrain.  As well as be comfortable riding for long hours of up to 5-6 hours a day. Rider weight limit: 220 lbs.  /  100 kilos.

The horses are pure or cross-bred Paint, Arabian, or Thoroughbreds, and Warmbloods. They live in a 70-acre field with the herd all year long, and most of them were born at the equestrian farm. They are well-behaved and suitable for all types of riders.
The height of the horses varies from 15.3hh – 16.3hh

Group Size:
Riding groups are kept small to a maximum of 10 riders plus a lead rider and a translator.

Type of Tack:
The saddles are comfortable trail saddles, saddlebags, poncho, and water are provided and all horses are ridden in simple bridles with “myler” type bits.  The team will tack the horses up for you.

Helmets are strongly recommended and a packing list will be provided when you book the ride.

Dates and prices:

2024 Dates: 
The rates are calculated in Euros and Snaffle Travel uses the ANZ bank conversion rate CHECK HERE to get an indication.  All rates are based on twin-share accommodation.

Dates and Prices – 2024 –  €2285.00 euros per person  

If the dates do not suit or the rides are full please ask us for other rides in France as we do not advertise all the rides on our website.

Dates: 08 – 15 June (7 places), 16 – 23 June, 10 – 17 August (Full), 18–25 August (Full)

Please contact us for the Australian dollar conversion

Single rooms are subject to availability.  The single supplement is €440.00.  Return transfers €20.00. Please advise us when booking.

Rates are based on the Euro and subject to currency fluctuation, so please contact us for the most up to date pricing for your riding holiday.

(Please contact us for the Australian dollar conversion.  We use the ANZ bank sell rate for our conversion).

Includes

  • All accommodation in twin or double share.  Single available with a supplement
  • All meals from arrival dinner to departure breakfast. Includes continental breakfasts, buffet picnic lunches including wine at lunch only
  • 6 full days of riding on horseback, including horses and riding gear
  • Two certified riding guides including an English translator
  • Support vehicle and transfers to all riding locations during your stay

Not included

  • International flights and transfers to start of ride paid locally
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Entry to sights, tastings, and other activities
  • Drinks are not included with meals in the evening and additional incidentals
  • Tips are customary in France and are at your discretion and appreciation
  • Transfers are not included, set-time transfers paid locally
  • Single room supplement 405 euros subject to availability

Photos

Itinerary

This is a journey across the Loire Valley with its majestic renaissance Castles, mild climate and fertile growing lands, staying at different characteristic accommodations each night. A great trail ride for lovers of French history, culture and architecture!

Day 1: (D)

Arrival day.  If you are arriving by car you welcome to arrive in the late afternoon in Pontlevoy. If you are arriving by train please arrive at Montrichard train station. Overnight in hotel in Pontlevoy.

Day 2: (B,L,D)

Following breakfast, it will be time for a short briefing and an introduction to the horses. The morning will see you riding toward the village of Fougères-sur-Bièvre where a tasty lunch awaits you at the foot of the villages Castle. The structure was built in the late 15th century – there will be some free time after lunch to take a look around. In the afternoon you will head toward the beautifully furnished Chateau of Cheverny which we are welcome to visit. This property has been owned by the same family for six centuries.  Dinner and overnight in a B&B or hotel.

Day 3: (B,L,D)

In the morning we ride to Chambord Castle and its surrounding forests.  Chambord is the largest castle of the Loire area.  Its architectural achievement is unmatched, a wonder of elegance in the heart of an extensive natural forest reserve (13,850 acres).  After a picnic lunch in the castle grounds there will be a chance to take a tour within the castle itself. Upon re-mounting your horses, you will continue your journey through the Loire by visiting the Villesavin Castle dating back to the 16th century. The Castle has been preserved with near perfect integrity through the centuries it has been standing. Dinner and overnight in a B&B or local hotel.

Day 4: (B,L,D)

Today we ride through the forest to have our daily picnic at Beauregard Castle.  Built under François 1, this former hunting reserve of Chambord has always been famous thanks to its Gallery of 327 portraits of well-known characters and other remarkable qualities.  We visit the Castle before riding to Candé-dur-Beuvron. Dinner and overnight in a B&B or a local hotel.

Day 5: (B,L,D)

Today you will enjoy a leisurely morning ride along the banks of the Loire river, heading towards the village of Chaumont-sur-Loire. This charming place has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status and is well known for its feudal fortress, constructed in the late 15th century, which overlooks the village and the whole valley below. Following a picnic lunch close to the castle, there will then be time for a visit in the afternoon. A feature not to be missed are the grand stables, built in the 19th century and considered at the time to be the most luxurious in all of Europe. In the afternoon we enjoy a short ride across the Sudais forest in order to reach our overnight stop.  Dinner and overnight in a B&B or local hotel.

Day 6: (B,L,D)

The ride today takes you over the hillsides and we discover some areas of vineyards and cereal crops before arriving in Amboise for today’s picnic and a visit to the Castle. The 15th century was a time of great wealth for Amboise with the Kings Louis XI, Charles VIII and François I all adding to the embellishment of the Castle and its surrounding village. In the afternoon, we ride through the forest of Amboise to reach Saint Martin le Beau where we have the opportunity to taste the wines of Touraine and Montlouis. Dinner and overnight at a local hotel.

Day 7: (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we ride to the Cher Valley, we ride along the river enjoying long gallops.  Thus we head to the magnificient Castle of Chenonceau, built on the Cher. The Chateau is known as the “Chateau des Dames” (Castle of the Ladies) built in 1513 by Katherine Briconnet, embellished successively by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, Chenonceau was saved from the rigours of the Revolution by Madam Dupin.  It is the flagship of the Loire Valley.  After a delicious picnic in the grounds, you will have a chance to visit this “Jewel of the Loire” before returning to the saddle.  We leave the banks of the Cher to arrive later afternoon into Pontlevoy. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: (B)

Departure after breakfast and transfer to Montrichard train station in the morning.

Please note that this program is for information only and the itinerary may be modified according to the availability of the hotels, the weather, any other issues and the some sights maybe closed for various reasons.

OTHER INFORMATION

Location
Loire valley area

Weather
Weather website: http://www.holiday-weather.com/

Activities
During the ride you will enjoy cultural visits with wine tastings

Languages spoken
English and French

Closest Train or Airport
If you are flying into France it is suggested to arrive into Paris and take the train from here to Montrichard train station.  Montrichard is 2 hours from Paris approximately.

Please contact Snaffle Travel for further information, booking terms and conditions to info@snaffletravel.com.au

This holiday is calculated using Euros and is subject to currency fluctuation.  We will update the final invoice 7 days prior to final payment.  This itinerary is subject to our terms and conditions and the deposit is non-refundable.  Please ask for our *terms and conditions which apply to this riding holiday.

Snaffle Travel is happy to provide a competitive quote on international flights, travel insurance, car hire and hotels before and after your ride.  Please contact Snaffle Travel for further information, riding holiday booking terms and conditions to info@snaffletravel.com.au

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