FRANCE ON HORSEBACK

Horse riding tours and equestrian holidays in France

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Touraine - Loire Valley Heritage and Wines Horse Ride

Touraine encroaches on Poitou Charentes, a region with a kaleidoscope of distinctive landscapes, but which is also a land of tradition. In Poitou-Charentes, you can board a gabare and drift along the Charente, or take up your pilgrim's staff and string together the string of Romanesque wonders scattered along the Route de Saint-Jacques. The magic is everywhere.
The Poitou-Charentes region is dotted with countless architectural treasures. It's as if a fairy godmother (Mélusine) had passed through here!

Day 1 : Arrival in Usseau
We arrive at the gîte in Usseau (10km north of Châtellerault) at the end of the day. We meet the horses and the team. Dinner and overnight stay included.

Day 2 : Usseau - Faye La Vineuse - Richelieu
Breakfast followed by departure at 9:30 am. We cross the rolling countryside of northern Vienne. Along the way, we admire the small manor houses and castles dotted along the hillsides, and the light soil on which Haut Poitou melons and asparagus grow. Lunch break in Faye la Vineuse, a medieval village between Poitou and Touraine. The route then continues towards the Route du Cardinal Rouge. We end the day in a B&B in Richelieu.

Day 3 : Richelieu – The Jables Fountain – Chinon
Once we've had breakfast, we saddle up and ride through Richelieu to see its narrow streets, square and covered wooden hall. We then set off for the Veude valley. At midday, we stop for lunch at the Fontaine de Jable, in the shade of the poplars. After this idyllic break, we ride towards the Château de Riveau, before joining an old railroad line, where we gallop several times in pleasant weather thanks to the poplars lining the track. In the afternoon, we stop off at Rivière, a pretty little village on the banks of the Vienne, to visit its charming church. We arrive in Chinon in the late afternoon, and settle in for the night in canvas bungalows or a hotel.

Day 4 : Chinon – Cravant les coteaux – the Bouchard Island
We start the day with a visit to Chinon castle. At around 10:30 am, we set off on horseback along the “chemin de grande randonnée” (long-distance footpath) overlooking the valley. We follow this trail until noon, when we stop at a winery for a wine tasting before taking our lunch break in Cravant les Coteaux. After this enriching morning, we ride to Ile Bouchard, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in the church near the school. We end the day with a visit on horseback to the priory of Saint Léonard, before resting in our bed & breakfast, a former commandery.

Day 5 : The Bouchard Island – La Tour Saint Gelin – the Bois Aubry
After breakfast, we take to the sunken lanes for a ride through lush greenery to the Ile Bouchard plateau. The day continues through wooded areas, small hamlets and typical villages. The pace of our horses takes us close to the Tour Saint Gelin, an ideal stopping-off point with a view of the “Mocrate” fountain and its slate roof. In the afternoon, we head for Bois Aubry and its abbey in the heart of nature. Dinner and overnight stay in the original setting of a monastery.

Day 6 : The Bois d’Aubry – the Marmande Tower – Usseau
After breakfast, we set off through rolling countryside back into the Vienne département. On our way, we see the Marmande tower, which we'll reach for lunch as we pass through the village and its 12th-century church. This tower has a special place in the landscape, as it was created to watch over the border between Poitou and Touraine from its 30-metre height. In the afternoon, we cross some forests and pass by the medieval castle of Motte d'Usseau, before finishing the hike in Usseau at the end of the afternoon.

Transfer to Châtellerault train station possible at the end of the day.

 

Week Ride in Touraine - 2025
From April 6 to 11 1600 € available > book now
From October 12 to 17 1600 € available > book now
From October 13 to 18 1600 € available > book now

 

Options - 2025 (to pay on site)
Single room supplement (per person, per night)
50€


 

Included:

-  The above described tour on a full board basis
- The transfers from and to Châtellerault 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 ?")

 

Not included:

- 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

 

 

 

 

Our horses and required riding ability
Horse breeds

Most of our horses are cross-bred: barbs, Arabs, Anglo-Arabs and saddle horses. They are calm, gentle and get on well with each other, as they live all year round in a herd.
They adapt easily to trail riding, but remain energetic.

Tack

We have trail saddles: Forestier, Oner, JMS, etc.
Your saddle is equipped with a saddle pad with pockets or with saddlebags to carry your material on horseback.

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. 

The local team

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.


 

Accommodation
The accommodation is a inn, an hotel or a guesthouse depending on availability. You will be accommodated in a double or a triple bedroom depending on the accommodation. 
For lunch, you have a rural picnic carried by our logistic vehicle (except when the group is very small, you may carry your picnic riding). 
For dinner, you have a traditional dinner cooked at the accommodation or in a restaurant (depending on the distance between the accommodation and the restaurant).

 

Meals
The logistic vehicle carries your luggage from an accommodation to the other every day, and picnics.


Languages spoken by the guide: English, French and German.

Group size:

Riding tour from 3 riders. Maximum 9 riders.

Arrival airport / train station:

Meet directly at the gîte from 6pm.

Free transfers from/to Châtellerault station, a meeting point will be organized for the group, with the first reservations determining the transfer time.

Possibility of an extra night before or after the hike, from €35/person for the night alone, or from €60/person for half-board.

Details of how to book these services are provided in your travel pack.

Our riding consultant's report

A ride to discover the historical heritage of this beautiful region. Tasting breaks in the various vineyards add an oenological dimension to this escapade on horseback!

Riding guest reviews

"A very good experience. Great horses and a dream landscapes." - Ana L. (2021)

"Very good experience! The horses are very well trained and worked (we're really not dealing with desensitized club horses). They are very well cared for. Their owner is very friendly, approachable and interesting. The surroundings are magnificent. Thank you very much for this beautiful ride!" - Lena D. (2020)

"A very warm welcome and Valérie is a great professional." - Olivier D. (2019)

"Valérie recommended a great 5-day ride with quality accommodation and very friendly hosts. We were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the landscapes, the richness of the heritage and the vast network of quality paths. Thanks again for your availability and your warm welcome." - Sam R. (2018)

Why you will love this trail

From 1600 €

Oenologic - Heritage

6 days / 5 nights - 5 days riding

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