The Touraine crosses the Poitou Charentes borders, a region full of colored landscapes, but also full of tradition. In Poitou-Charentes, we go on a scow and we drift on the Charente, or we take the pilgrim’s rod and we enjoy one by one the Roman marvels’ chaplet spread in the way of Saint-James. Miracles are everywhere!
The Poitou-Charentes is dotted with a lot of small architectural treasuries. We could believe a good fairy (Mélusine) has gone through the region!
Day 1 : Arrival in Usseau
Meeting point at the guesthouse in late afternoon.
Day 2 : Usseau - Faye La Vineuse - Richelieu
We have a first contact with our horses and guides, and start riding at 9:30am. We ride through the Vienne ondulating landscapes. We admire the small manors and castles dotted on the hills and light soils where grow the Haut Poitou melons and asparagus. We have lunch in Faye la Vineuse, a medieval village located between Poitou and Touraine. Then, we ride toward the red Cardinal road. We spend the night in a guesthouse in Richelieu.
Day 3 : Richelieu – The Jables Fountain – Chinon
After breakfast, we ride through Richelieu and visit the lanes, the square place and the wooden covered market. Then, we ride again to the Veude valley. We have a picnic lunch at the Jable Fountain, in the shadow of the poplar trees. After this idyllic break, we ride toward the Riveau Castle and reach a former railway to enjoy several gallops with a pleasant environment thanks to the poplar trees bordering the railway. In the afternoon, we stop in Rivière, a small village alongside the Vienne, and visit the church which offers us a particular entertainment. We arrive at Chinon in late afternoon and spend the night in a canvas bungalow or in a hotel.
Day 4 : Chinon – Cravant les coteaux – the Bouchard Island
First, we visit the Chinon Castle. Then, we start riding at 10am30 in the trailing path allowing us to overlook the whole valley. We ride in this path up to lunch time and stop in a cellar to taste a wine and visit the place. We have lunch in Cravant les Coteaux. After a morning full of gastronomy and culture, we ride toward the Bouchard Island where the Virgin Mary would have appeared in the church next to the school. We end our day by visiting the Saint Léonard priory on horseback before spending the night in a guesthouse (a former commandery).
Day 5 : The Bouchard Island – La Tour Saint Gelin – the Bois Aubry
After breakfast, we ride through sunken paths in the greenery, up to the Bouchard Island hilltop. Then, we ride through woods, typical hamlet and villages. We have lunch and a good rest at La Tour Saint Gelin. We enjoy a view on the « Mocrate » Fountain and on the roof made of slate. In the afternoon, we ride to the Bois Aubry and the abbey in full nature. Dinner and night in an original monastery.
Day 6 : The Bois d’Aubry – the Marmande Tower – Usseau
After breakfast, we ride through undulating landscapes and are back in the Vienne department before 12am. We perceive the Marmande tower and reach it for lunch riding through the village and the church from the XIIth century. This 30 meters tower has a particular place in this landscape as it was built to supervise the border between Poitou and Touraine. In the afternoon, we ride through several forests and nearby the Motte d’Usseau medieval Castle of the village perched on its promontory, before ending the riding tour in Usseau in late afternoon.
Transfers to the TGV train station at the end of the day.
Week Ride in Touraine - 6 days / 5 nights / 5 days riding - 2023 | ||
April 09 to 14 | 1400 € | available > book it |
June 25 to 30 | 1400 € | available > book it |
October 08 to 13 | 1400 € | available > book it |
Options - 2022 (to pay on spot) | |
Single room supplement (per person, per night) | |
Options - Night supplement excluding meals | |
Options - wine meal included |
- The above described tour on a full board basis
- The transfers from and to Châtellerault TGV train station
- The financial guarantee of funds deposited in Ride in France, (see "why ride with us ?")
- Protection of the French Law for travel consumers who book through French travel agencies (see "why ride with us ?")
- Personal expenses
- Transport to arrive at the meeting place
- The organization of an added guided tour of the region before or after the riding tour
- Registration fees of 15 € per person
- Any other services
- Optional insurances : For more information click here
Horse breeds
We have mostly cross-breed horses: barb, Arabian, Anglo Arabian and saddle breed. They are calm, kind and get along them, because they live in herd throughout the year. Tack We have trail saddles: Forestier, Oner, JMS, etc. |
Recommended riding ability
Our riding tours are for riders feeling comfortable at the three gaits and autonomous when riding outdoor,
Good to know
Helmets are recommended for adults and compulsory for minors.
Equestrian helmets can be provided by the equestrian centre.
Children are welcomed in this riding tour from 12 years old upon parental authorization and if they have the suitable riding ability.
Maximum weight: 100 kg.
Valérie is our guide. She loves TREK and will be happy to make us discover the trail.
The logistics vehicle will transport our bags from a guesthouse to the next one every day and will bring us lunch.
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Accommodation
Meals |
Languages spoken by the guide: English, French and German.
Group size:
Riding tour from 3 riders. Maximum 9 riders.
Arrival airport / train station:
Meeting point directly at the equestrian centre from 8am30.
Free transfer from and to Châtellerault train station, a meeting point at a precise schedule will be organized for the group. The first transfer bookings determine the meeting schedule.
Possibility of staying an extra night before or after the ride from 35 € per person for the night only or from 60 € per person on half-board.
Details in your travel documents to book these services.
A riding tour to discover the historic heritage in this nice region. The wine tasting add an œnologique dimension to the riding tour! |