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.
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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!
On this trail you will discover the plateau of Lamastre, the ranked village of Desaignes by the Devesset lake to finally arrive to the Doux valley, via Saint Agrève... |
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Day 1
Meeting point in the equestrian inn, a former castle farm, between 8:30am and 9am (possibility to arrive the day before if you want). We will be explained our itinerary for the day and will get our horse to start the ride. Today we are going to follow a loop way. We start with the crossing of Saint-Barthelemy-Grozon village at the bottom of Serre de la Roue. A panoramic view is waiting for us at the top of Serre des Fourches, then we have the possibility to canter to the picnic spot, close to Bosc castle. After lunch, we ride over Saint Genest pass to reach "La Ferme du Châtaignier" where we visit the farm and taste the chesnut in every shape and form. After riding along Vivarais touristic train railway, we go back to the stables and "Buisson d'Urbilhac" inn for the dinner and night.
Day 2
We start our day with the crossing of Lamastre, arrival train station of the Mastrou touristic train, the pretty steam train of the Doux Gorges. We ride between pines and orchards until Sauvages Castle where we start climbing towards Ardechois plateaus. The path is perfect for a couple of canters and have a view until Cadet, where we stop to let our horses drink and organize our lunch break. Then we follow our way to Saint Agrève (known for its mid-August "Equiblues" western festival). After we leave the village, we have a perfect path to canter to the Devesset lake banks where we stop for the night at an inn.
Day 3
For our third day, we ride on the Ardechois Highlands and in Mars... a small village close to Chambon-sur-Lignon. This morning we ride towards Haute-Loire. A nice panoramic view lets us admire Gerbier-de-Jonc Mount and Mezenc Mount when we leave Cheyne hamlet. We ride towards Hermont Camp and cross a couple of railways spread on the ardechois plateau. The sandy paths in the big pine forests offer us some nice opportunities to canter. After our picnic break, we leave the woods to start riding down to cross the Eyrieux, second longest river of Ardeche, we discover it at its stream form as we are only a few kilometers away from the source. We ride to the Devesset Lake, natural zone of ecological interest in fauna and flora. If the weather is good enough, we have the possibility to swim. Before going back to our inn by the lake for the dinner and night, we stop for a visit of the traditional candy factory.
Day 4
After a generous breakfast, we ride along Devesset lake and over Brun Pass to start our descent until Labatie d'Andaure where we stop to have our lunch break on the Doux riverside. Then, it's time for a nap and a swim if the weather is good enough before going to the feudal village of Desaignes. An old railway leads us to Lamastre by crossing chesnut and cherry groves. We leave the village for a last canter before reaching our inn "Buisson d'Urbilhac" for the dinner and night.
Day 5
After a generous breakfast, we ride towards the Calade des Marchands (a calade is a little sloped cobbled narrow street) while riding along Pe Cheylard Castle ruins. We ride on a charming smugglers path until the village of Saint Basile via Trappe du Loup. Thanks to the loop we are following, we have the opportunity to see the beautiful Maisonseule Castle and then we have a wonderful view on the Doux and Sumène valley. We stop at Saint Basile for our picnic break. In the afternoon, a couple of canters are possible and the passing of Reynaud Mount leads us to Saramant where we can admire Gibier de Jonc Mount and ardechois mountain before going back to the inn. Individual departure from 6:30pm (you can spend an extra night if you wish to leave only the morning after).
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This is an indicative itinerary and it's subject to modifications without prior notice depending on meteorological reasons or the safety of the group.
| Lakes, Mounts and Highlands of Ardeche - 2025 | ||
| Dates available soon | ||
- The trail ride as described in full board basis with accomodation in inns (dormitories)
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Meals: 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)
- Transfers from and to Valence Ville train station
- 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
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Extra nights before or after the trail
- Optionnal transfers from and to Valence Ville train station (5 € per person and per trip)
- Booking fees 15€/person
- Any other service or optional visit entries,
personal expenses
- 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).
Helmet can be provided but we highly recommend to bring your own.
Maximum weight : 85kg
Maximum size : 1m90
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The riding tour is supervised by Hubert, an equestrian tourism accompanist born in the region. Logistic |
Accommodation
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The first and last night are planned in a dormitory at the guide's house. You will have the possibility to take a shower every evening. The second and third nights are planned in a comfortable inn out in the country, in double or triple rooms. As an option for the first and last night, it is possible to change the dormitory for a 2 star hotel in the village next to Lamastre. Prices from 66 € per room and per night, to be paid on the spot. (see dates and rates for more details) |
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Meals We carry our picnic lunches in our saddlebags. For dinner, hot meals are cooked by our hosts. Chestnut meals take the place of honour: bread, cake, sautéed... and of course chestnut kir! |
Languages spoken by the guide: French and English
Group size: From 4 to 8 riders
Arrival airport / train station:
The riding centre is situated 40km west of 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 (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 (half-board). To be paid on the spot.
Details provided in your travel documents for the booking of these services.
A wonderful weekly trail, you will enjoy everything: the calm of the region, the local cuisine, the reliable horses and particularly Hubert, a guide you won't forget! It's definitively one of our favorite trails! |
"A wonderful trail, horses and guides were perfect. The best horse trail!" - (Alain D. August 2019)
"It was a real pleasure to ride horses such as Hubert's. We can have blind trust in them. Wonderful guide, food: I got one kg but it was one kg of pure pleasure." (Alienor V. 08/2019)
"Thanks for this fabulous holiday. Hubert knows his horses and his region and passes down his knowledge and his passion. The horses are real athletes, with a good mind, healthy and well cared. You can go with your eyes closed!!!" (Katarzyna L. July 2019)
"Very enjoyable trail, beautiful surroundings, nice horse and guide. TO DO!" (Benoit 2018)
"WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE ! To do again soon, guide and horses very nice, skilful and professional!" (Isabelle 2018)
"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)
"Everything went well. I enjoyed this getaway. The horses fit for their job, are well trained and not overused. Even at the end of the season they are still energetic and it's a pleasure. Hubert is very kind." (Julie N. 2016)
5 days / 4 nights / 5 days riding
LOT / QUERCY3 to 6 days on Saint Jacques' footsteps |
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LOIRE VALLEYA week ride around the nicest castles of the Loire Valley. |
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+33 437 02 2000
