FRANCE ON HORSEBACK |
Horse riding tours and equestrian holidays in France |
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Since 1998, Ride in France is dedicated to horse riding tours and equestrian holidays in France.
Ride in France is part of Randocheval, the leading French equestrian agency, which offers rides in more than 50 countries. We even have our own travel agency in Mongolia!
No need to say that our team of French horse lovers has the best knowledge about horseback holidays in our own homeland!
Be ready for the equestrian adventure of a lifetime in France!
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Whether you are dreaming of fairy castles or enjoying French cuisine and wines, we have a ride for you! Discover our "special interest rides" to find your dream equestrian vacation in France ...
Read carefully all the information about our tours. Once you have chosen your ride, contact us to check the availability.
We will send you a booking form, you just have to fill it and send it back.
Payment is done very easily through wire transfer or credit card. You will receive the voucher and all necessary information as soon as the booking and payment has been completed.
It is important that you prepare your riding holidays to make the most of your equestrian adventure!
The following pages should answer all your questions about France, French horses and how to prepare your horseback vacation. Feel free to contact us if you need more detailed information.
French riders trying and trusting horse riding tours in France, it says it all !
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Ride in France has been created in 1998 by Sabine et Thomas Grataloup, two horse lovers.
Today 8 experts help you to choose the best ride for you in France : Anne, Claire, Dominique, Julie, Laurie, Mathilde, Sabine and Thomas!
The territory of Lamastre spreads on a green plateau between 500 and 950 meters of altitude, at the heart of the territory "Ardèche plein coeur" where pastures and orchards mixed with woods of pine, beechtrees, oaktrees and chestnut trees. It is situated at the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the "Mont d'Ardèche", near the Eyrieux and the Doux valleys as well as many well-knowned tourist attractions... To discover Haut Vivarais plateaus during a weekend, we offer you two programs of 2 to 3 days. |
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On the first day, meeting directly at the departure of the trail, an old castle's tenant farm, between 8:30am and 9am. Presentations of the group and the guide, presentation of the horses and preparation. In the evening, after spending the day riding, we will ask you to take care of your horse: groom, saddle, unsaddle, feed and shower. On the last day of the trail, individual departure of the riders from 6:30pm.
Every trailing day varies depending on the climate, the riders' level... Here are the 3 principal loops we can do.
Our different riding days:
This morning, we leave for a loop that will start by crossing the Saint-Barthélémy-Grozon village, at the bottom of the "Serre de la Roue", centre of the religious wars. A panoramic view rewards our ascent to the Serre des Fourches, before enjoying a nice cantering path, leading us to our lunch place, not far from the Castle des Bosc. Having recharged our batteries, we pass the Col de Saint Genest in the afternoon to arrive at the "Ferme du Chataignier" (the Chestnut tree farm), where we will be waited for, to taste some chestnuts under every shape and form (*). After riding along the lanes of the small railways of the Vivarais, we come back to the tenant farm of Urbilhac for dinner and night.
(*) During the winter period, we will take advantage of the farm's warm welcome for our lunch break.
This morning's step starts by crossing Lamastre, village as well as the arrival of the Mastrou, the tourist steam train of the Doux' gorge. A path between pines and fruit trees leads us to the Castle des Sauvages, where our ascent towards the plateau ardéchoix starts. The path offers us long canters and a panoramic view up to Cadet, where we will stop to allow our horses to drink and to organise our lunch break. After lunch, we start riding down towards Désaignes, typical village of the Regional Natural Park and ancient roman town. An old railway will lead us to Lamastre while crosing forests of chestnut and cherry trees. We will leave the village and a last canter will lead us to our original accomodation for a gourmet meal.
After a generous breakfast, we will find our horses and take the direction of Lamastre which we will leave by the Calade des Marchands (a calade is a small cobbled street on a slope) while following the castle Pé Cheylard's ruins. A really nice path of smugglers, will lead us to the village of Saint Basile by the Trappe du Loup. Thanks to this loop, the magnificent Castle of Maisonseule will offer itself to us as well as the panoramic view on the Doux valleyand the Sumène (*). Back to Saint Basile, we will stop for our lunch break. In the afternoon, a few canters and the crossing of the Reynaud Mount leads us to Saramant, where we can admireGibier de Jonc Mount and ardechois mountain before going back to the inn of Urbilhac.
(*) During the winter period, we will be comfortably installed near the chimney fire of the castle's annexe for our lunch break
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This itinerary is provided on an indicative basis and is subject to modifications without prior notice depending on meteorological reasons or the safety of the group.
- The trail ride as described
- Full board basis from lunch the first day to lunch the last day ; drinks included: water, soda, wine and/or beer for adults (alcohol served at dinner in moderation)
- Logistics fees
- The guarantee of funds deposited in Ride in France
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Any other services or optional visit entries, personal expenses
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Tips
- Transfers from and to Valence Ville train stations (5 € per person and per trip)
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Extra nights before or after
- Booking fees 15€/person
- optional insurances
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Horse breeds
Horses have been chosen by Hubert for their kindness and their ability for trail. They are from many different breeds, all at ease with trails. We pick a horse for you according to your riding ability and your morphology. SaddlesEnglish style with quality trail saddles for the comfort of horses and riders. Saddlebags are available to carry your personal equipment during the day. Recommended riding ability To join this trail, you have to be comfortable at the three gaits even fast, with an experience of riding in open spaces. |
Good to know
Gaits are adjusted according to the conditions: moderate speed in general, with canters when ground is good.
Children
can come alone from 14 years old if they have a good riding level with a parental permission (mandatory).
You cannot come with your own horse on this trail.
Helmet can be provided but we highly recommend to bring your own.
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The riding tour is supervised by Hubert, an equestrian tourism accompanist born in the region. He is assisted by virginie. They both know the region really well. Logistic |
Accommodation
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We sleep in an Inn, in dormitory. It's possible to take a shower every evening. Please bring your sleeping bag and your bathroom towels. Individual rooms are possible in a 2 stars hotel in the village next to Lamatre. From 66 € per room and per night. You need to have a vehicle to drive from and to the hotel. Details in the travel documents you will receive a month before departure. |
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Meals We carry our picnic lunches in our saddlebags. For dinner, hot meals are cooked by our hosts. Chesnut meals take the place of honour: bread, cake, sautéed... and of course chesnut kir! |
Languages spoken by the guide: French and English.
Group size: From 2 to 8 riders. Except in July and August (minimum of 4 riders)
Arrival airport / train station:
The riding centre is situated about 40km west from Valence.
Meeting at the riding centre between 8:30 am and 9 am.
Departure around 6 pm/6:30 pm
Transfers are possible from and to Valence Ville train station reachable via shuttle from Valence TGV train station.
- If you arrive the day before and stay one extra night : welcoming and transfer from Valence Ville train station is possible between 7pm and 8pm.
- The first day of the ride, welcoming and transfer is possible until 8:30 am.
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At the end of the trail, transfer is possible after the last riding day (plan a departure from the train station after 7:30pm) or the day after, after breakfast.
You need to book your transfers when you book your ride. Please let us know how and when you arrive/leave.
Possibility to book an extra night the day before or after the trail from 40€/person (on half-board). To be paid on the spot.
Details provided in your travel documents for the booking of these services.
An absolute breath of fresh air for a weekend only 2 and an half hour from Paris and one and an half from Lyon, no more pretext not discovering "the other Ardeche"! |
"Meeting Hubert and Virginie is meeting 2 really endearing people. We can't get bored with them. Their place is magical with magnificent sunsets. The horses are really well, used to the trail, the soil is hard and they are very brave. Hubert had me ride a horse he just bought, a pure delight! The "gourmet" visitsare welcomed as they give a rythm to the trail. The Loustau inn is alos a very nice place. The cooking past of Hubert is a plus as he treats us to delicious meals every night." - Christine C. (2020)
"A wonderful experience with Ardechois landscapes and breathtaking view! Hubert and Laurine were great from the beginning to the end the horses were in good mental health and treated with love. I promise to go back and it will be a pleasure to see them again." (Caroline D. 2019)
"First riding trail over several days, wonderful discovery, Hubert is very welcoming and makes us feel confident very quickly. The horses are calm but dynamic as well. The itinerary is perfect to discover the beautiful Ardechois landscapes. To do again, but longer than just a weekend." (Marie 2018)
"Nice weekend in the heart of Ardeche. We will come back!" (Aude C. 2018)
"Nice trail, perfect horses we can really trust. Change of scenery guaranteed!" (Lea L. 2018)
"Very gool welcome - professional and very kind - horses very good, sociable and dynamic as well - beautiful landscapes with the crossing of a lot of chesnut groves and the autumn colors... I recommend!" (Alice N. 2017)
"Wonderdul trail in Ardeche, brighten up with the good mood, the energy and the skills of our guide Emma. The accomodation contributes to have a good and stunning trail. Thanks again to Ride in France and to our guide who adjusted the weekend for an individual request." (Nadège B. 2015)
PROVENCE -A spectacular ride in the so-called Provencal Colorado. |
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LOIRE VALLEYA ride around the nicest castles of the Loire Valley. |
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+33 437 02 2000
