France ~ Dordogne & Gironde ~ Perigord & Bordeaux

Riding: 4-6 hours a day.

Horses: locally bred French saddle horses.

Pace: slow to moderate (moderate on Bordeaux ride).

Riding ability: confident novice riders and above.

Weight limit: 90kg (14st 2lbs); 86kg (13st 8lbs) on Vineyards of Bordeaux & Quercy rides.

Accommodation: 3* & 4* hotels, chateau hotels & chambres d'hotes (some 2* hotels on Quercy Ride)

Group size: max 7.

For Dordogne & Gironde testimonials click here

The horses used are mostly locally bred French saddle horses of between 14.2hh and 16hh. They are well schooled, good-natured and a sensible but forward going and responsive ride. Saddles are either English, 'Maclellans' (which are a comfortable cross between an English and western saddle), with western style also available for those who wish. Most of the horses are ridden western style and are used to neck reining and to a light contact with the mouth. Saddle bags are provided when necessary. The horses are tacked up / prepared for you by the local staff. Rides are normally limited to a maximum of 6 guests and are lead by Michel who is French and owns the horses. He is an experienced, knowledgeable guide and speaks fluent English.

Hours: There is usually between 4 and 6 hours riding a day (it varies with the itinerary, the Quercy ride including the longest riding hours), broken up with rests and for lunch and sightseeing.

Pace and experience required: To join these rides you should have a reasonable amount of previous riding experience and should be secure and comfortable on a well-schooled horse at a walk, trot and canter over varied terrain. The pace is fairly slow to moderate overall and quite relaxed (the Bordeaux ride offers more chances to canter). There is a weight limit of 90kgs (14 stone 4lbs) on Perigord, Vineyards and Chateau and one base rides; 86kgs (13 stone 8lbs) on the Vineyards of Bordeaux and Quercy Rides.

Accommodation on the rides is in a variety of good quality 3* and 4* hotels and chambres d'hotes (2* hotels on some nights of the Quercy Ride). Hotels are comfortable, chosen as far as possible for their character and all rooms have their own bathroom. Most have a good restaurant and several have their own swimming pool for a relaxing dip after the day's ride. The Vineyards and Chateaux Ride also uses a lovely 13th Century chateau which is a 4* hotel. The Haut de Baran, Chateau de Rouffiac and Chateau Vigiers are historic chateaux in the heart of the Dordogne. Haut de Baran has 7 beautiful bedrooms, all with individual bathrooms, and there is a swimming pool and jacuzzi. Chateau de Rouffiac is smaller, with 4 double bedrooms, all en suite. Chateau Vigiers is a 4* golf & country club spa hotel with numerous rooms. Rates assume accommodation in twin rooms but single rooms are available at a supplement.

The meeting point varies from ride to ride. Agen train station for Vineyard & Chateaux of Cahors and Quercy. Cahors for Haut de Baran & Chateau de Rouffiac. Bergerac airport for Perigord and Bordeaux station for Vineyards of Bordeaux Ride.

The nearest international airports to Agen & Cahor are Bergerac, Bordeaux and Toulouse and there are good train services from both Bordeaux and Toulouse to Agen, taking about an hour. There are also trains to Agen from Paris or London St Pancras.

For flights from London to Bordeaux / Toulouse budget around £200 economy return (varies with the airline and season). We can arrange for you to be collected from all above airports for an extra charge.

There are also flights from several regional UK airports to Bergerac with low cost airlines. This is the meeting point for the Perigord Rides but we can also arrange transfers from here to Agen for those joining any of the other rides - there is usually an extra charge.

Itinerary in Brief, Perigord Ride (please enquire for other itineraries)