This riding tour combines the most important Renaissance castles: Cheverny, Chambord, Chaumont sur Loire and Chenonceau... These castles are located between the Cher and the Loire valleys. The Loire is the last wild river in Europe, and recently listed as one of the Human World heritage by the UNESCO. |
Day 1 : Arrival
Free arrival at the hotel in Maslives between 3pm and 6pm. Meet the team who will accompany you during your stay over an aperitif at 7pm. Night and dinner in a 3-star hotel (swimming pool in season).
Meeting point at the Hotel La Clef des Châteaux, 14 Rue de Chambord 41250 Maslives check-in 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Welcome and aperitif briefing at 7:00 pm sharp.
Day 2 : Chambord
After breakfast, you join the stables at 8:30 a.m. for a day in the Grande Sologne on the way to your first stopover in the heart of the Loire Valley: forests, half-timbered houses and red bricks. Lunch is served on the banks of the Beuvron in Bracieux, at the foot of the little 14th-century church of Saint-Nicaise, while the early afternoon takes you to your first château, and not the least: the Château de Chambord. Nestled in the heart of its private estate of over 5000ha, you'll be won over by this Renaissance gem at first sight. After a self-guided tour (approx. 2 hrs), transfer to your hotel. Another night and dinner in a 3-star hotel (swimming pool in season).
Day 3 : Beauregard
On the morning of D3, you saddle up and head west towards the Château de Beauregard, a small 15th-century château, where you'll have lunch. After a self-guided tour (approx. 1 hr), where you can admire the Lapis Lazulis ceilings and the “Galerie des Illustres”, you're back in the saddle and gradually leave the Sologne to enter Touraine and reach the village of Ouchamps. Night and dinner in 4-star accommodation (heated pool).
Day 4 : Fougères-sur-Bièvre
On the fourth day, you'll discover the enchanting chateau of Fougères sur Bièvre. Depart from Ouchamps on horseback around 9:30 a.m. to reach Fougères in the late morning. Built in the 15th century by Pierre De Refuge, treasurer to King Louis XI, this small, perfectly preserved chateau, with its unique Loire Valley architecture, lies somewhere between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Self-guided tour (approx. 1h) followed by lunch. Return on horseback in the afternoon through vineyards and forests to reach Ouchamps at the end of the day. Another night and dinner in 4-star accommodation.
Day 5 : Chaumont-sur-Loire
Depart from Ouchamps at around 9 a.m. to cross the Beuvron at Candé, and in the late morning reach the banks of the UNESCO World Heritage Loire and the magnificent Château de Chaumont sur Loire overlooking them. Lunch near the château, followed by a self-guided tour (approx. 1h30) or a visit to its magnificent gardens. You'll then ride along the Loire, where you'll take your horses to water, to reach Rilly at the end of the day, where the horses will sleep. Night and dinner in 3-star accommodation (heated pool and Spa).
Day 6 : Le Clos Lucé
Day 6 begins with a visit to the Château du Clos Lucé (approx. 10 min. drive). A superb Renaissance mansion steeped in history: the former home of the famous Leonardo da Vinci, it now houses the museum of his inventions. You then join the horses to leave Rilly at around 11am, this time heading south via the pretty bridle paths of the Montrichard forest. Lunch is served in the forest at around 1pm, before you reach the banks of the Cher and the Château de Chenonceau in the late afternoon. Another night and dinner in 3-star accommodation (heated pool and Spa).
Day 7 : Chenonceau
Your last day on horseback begins with a free tour of the Château de Chenonceau when it opens (approx. 1h30). Known as the “Château des Dames” for having belonged to the likes of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine De Médicis, this small castle with its richly furnished interiors also boasts Tuffaut stone architecture, the most famous wing of which is the one whose arches span the Cher like a bridge. We then set off for a morning drive along the magnificent banks of the Cher to reach Chisseau for lunch. Final afternoon drive to Montrichard, where you'll end your tour with a superb view of the ruins of its medieval keep. Motorized return to Maslives for a free departure around 6.30pm.
Important: The above itinerary is provided on an indicative basis and our guide reserves the right to modify the itinerary depending on the condition of paths and the seasons.
Historic Castle Horse Ride - 2025 | ||
April 25 to May 1st | 2190 € | full |
May 23 to 29 | 2190 € | avalaible > book it |
May 30 to June 5 | 2190 € | avalaible > book it |
July 4 to 10 | 2190 € | full |
July 20 to 26 | 2190 € | avalaible > book it |
September 1st to 7 | 2190 € | full |
October 3 to 9 | 2190 € | full |
Supplement & Option - 2025 | |
Single room supplement - compulsory if you travel alone, refunded if you accept to share and we find someone to do so | 360 € |
Extra night before or after the ride (to be paid on spot) including night, diner and breakfast | 120 € / pers. for sharing room or |
- The above-described tour on a full board basis
- The full board
- The financial guarantee of funds deposited in Ride in France
- Registration fees of 15 € per person
- Any other services
- Drinks
- Visits and excursions
- Any supplement to the menus
- Personal expenses
- Optional insurances : For more information click here
We have Franche Montagne horse breed or mix between Franch montagne and purebreed arabian Horses born in our equestrian centre. They are touched from birth and are trained according to the John Lyons behaviorist approach. They all practice trek competitions, and are consequently well-adapted to trail! They are tall and strong. They will be your best friend.
Saddle
English or trail saddles with saddlebags included.
If needed, bring your own seat saver.
We want riders who feel at ease outdoor at the three gaits, and who are able to trail for 5 to 6 hours at a varied speed a day depending on the step (25 to 40 km carried out per day). On an indicative basis, we ask the riders to have a Gallop 3 minimum grade to do these trails.
You will have to groom, saddle, unsaddle and participate to the horse’s care (feed, water, give a shower).
Good to know
Max. Weight : 100 kg - 220 lb
Minors from 10 years old are accepted if accompanied by an adult and if they have the necessary riding ability.
Helmet is compulsory!
The non riders are welcome on these riding tours. They follow th itnerary on bike ( location to be paid on spot). We give them IGN map.
Sophie and Ken, international trek multi-medallists and horse professionals (breeders, ethiopath, ethologist, equestrian teacher...), will be your guides.
They will guide you and make you discover the region and its secrets.
They speak French and English.
Accommodation
Comfortable guesthouses or hotels, generally with a bathroom and a WC in the bedroom. The accommodation is a double bedroom. The extra charge for a single bedroom is compulsory for any person subscribing alone, but we will refund it to you if you accept to share your room and if we find someone to do so.
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Meals Breakfastq are taken at the hotels. The dinners served at the hotels restaurants are traditional dishes related to the local gastronomy (drinks are not included). Lunch is provided by our stewardship, picnics are country meals with mixed meats and salads (aperitifs and wines included). We stop for about two hours. The team ensures the organization of picnics and the evening stage, sometimes a little help can be welcome! |
Languages spoken by the guide: French and English
Group size: 2 to 8 riders (9 exceptionally )
A riding tour is possible from 3 riders with an extra charge of 550 € / person
Arrival airport / train station: No transfer possible.
Equestrian centre located approximately 30 minutes drive south-east of Blois.
Possibility of an extra night before and/or after the ride.
Details provided in your travel pack for booking these services, which will be paid for on site.
Extend your stay: There are many possibilities to extend your stay. In fact, you can enjoy a huge range of different activities, such as visiting many castles and museum. You may also discover troglodyte sites, and enjoy a balloon or helicopter ride over these amazing places.
Franche Montagne horses are used to be calm and strong, and are nowadays more and more nice pleasure horses. They are trained using the ethological approach by the guides who welcome you, and you will be safe and comfortable riding these horses to visit sites which are one of the most beautiful of our heritage! |
7 days / 6 nights /6 days of riding
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