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!
| We are riding through the "Via Podiensis", one of the Saint James of Compostela pilegrinage’s contemporanean way. | |
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In the heart of the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park, between the arid plateaus and the green valleys, the Saint James way will be our guide for a six days riding tour, full of interesting history and culture: a string of sites telling us the prehistory, the pilgrim resting in the priory, the splendors of the history or simply the daily life of the shepherd… In this atmosphere made of stones and greenery lands, we suggest you to ride alongside the Lot and Célé rivers, and on this classical Lot path. Riding on this path, be sure to receive a lot of wonderful surprises! |
6 DAYS RIDE - In Saint Jacques' footsteps
Day 1: Equestrian Farm – Marcilhac sur Célé
The meeting point is at the equestrian farm at 9am. We have a first contact with our guide, the other members of the group and our horses, and then, we ride through the Célé valley up to Marcilhac on the GR651. We ride through the village of Cabrerets and its castles. At lunch time, we have a picnic and visit the Cuzals outdoor museum. We arrive at the medieval village of Marcilhac sur Célé in late afternoon. If you want you can have a guided tour of the village and the former abbey built in the Xth century. Night in a guesthouse.
We spend 5 hours riding (about 27 km).
Day 2: Marcilhac sur Célé – Béduer
This beautiful stage, dotted with major sites and remarkable viewpoints over the Célé valley, will take us to the edge of the Causses on the edge of the green Limargue. We pass through Saint-Sulpice, a former stronghold dating from the 12th and 14th centuries. Then on to Brengues, with its 8th-century English castle clinging to the cliff. We have lunch at the foot of the former 13th-century priory of Val Paradis in Espagnac. We leave the banks of the Célé at Saint Eulalie to return to the causse, its paths between the walls and its cazelles.
We spend 5 hours riding (about 30 km).
Day 3: Béduer – Salvagnac Cajarc
Today we'll be riding the GR65, one of the main pilgrim routes to Saint James of Compostela in France. We'll cross the limestone massif separating the Lot and Célé valleys before reaching Gréalou, a village overlooking the causses. After lunch, we resume our ride along some secret tracks dotted with cazelles. A corbelled path leads us to Cajarc, a lively medieval village. A chasm, an abandoned monastery, a village of dry-stone houses and slate roofs, a deep, intimate valley overgrown with boxwood: the legends of the past are ever-present in Aveyron. Night in a individual house, meal on the farm.
We spend 5 hours and a half riding (about 30-35 km).
Day 4: Cajarc - Salvagnac Cajar - Concots
We continue our journey on the GR65, following the very old Roman road, the "Cami Gasco" or "Cami Ferrat", which linked Caylus to Cahors. The route takes us deeper into the limestone plateau of the Causse de Limogne, planted with oak, maple and juniper trees. We pass the beautiful 12th-century Couanac castle before arriving at the loge, the home of our hosts for the evening.
We spend 6 hours riding (about 35 km).
Day 5: Concots - Belford du Quercy
Less ascent for this quiet, light-filled stage. A glimpse of the scrubland and dry grassland rich in orchids of the White Quercy. Meal at the foot of the imposing convent of Vaylats. Night in a typical White Quercy farmhouse.
We spend 4 hours and a half riding (about 25km).
Day 6: Belford du Quercy - Cabrerets
We set off on the rolling roads of the White Quercy region. We ride over the causse through the ouvalas (giant sinkholes), to reach the magical beauty of the majestic Lot valley at Saint Cirq Lapopie. This is a great place to stop and enjoy the gentle pace of life in this museum village, a favourite haunt of painters and writers. The towpath, carved into the rock, bears witness to the glory days of a flourishing inland waterway industry. Arrive at the horse farm in the late afternoon. Riders depart individually.
We spend 6 hours riding (about 40 km).
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, the seasons, the availabilities in the hotels and guesthouses.
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- Transport to arrive at the start point of the riding tour
- The other drinks
- Optional transfers from and to Cahors train station
- Registration fees of 15 € per person
- Any other services
- Personal expenses
- Optional insurance: more information
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Horses
We have approximately fifteen saddle horses: half-Arabian breed and barb. They are brave, calm, resilient and confortable. Some of them were born in our farm, but all of them are trained here and selected for the riding trail: they are all comfortable and safe. Their size is between 1m50 and 1m60. |
Tack
We use trail saddles (Gaston Mercier saddles, or classical trail saddles).
Saddlebags and holsters are provided.
Recommended riding ability
Our riding tours are for experienced riders feeling at ease at the three gaits (walk, trot and gallop) even fast gaits, and with a minimum outdoor horseback practice. The riders must have a good physical condition to be able to ride between 30 and 35km, about 5 to 6 hours.
Good to know
The ground is diversified and with several difficulties (as indicated in the descriptive). Sometimes, you will have to walk.
Minors are accepted from 11 years old (if they have the suitable riding ability).
Non accompanied minors are accepted from 15 years old.
Maximum weight: 90 kg.
Non riders are also accepted if they have a car.
The guide
The equestrian tourism guide is Pascal, the grandson of the Pech Merle caves discoverer.
His riding trail experience and his knowledge of the region make sure you will ride in the best conditions.
Logistic
A logistic vehicle carries the luggage and the equipment. For lunch, we stop in a restaurant or we have a picnic we carry in the saddlebags.
Meals
Every meals are prepared by the hosts, so you can enjoy varied and delicious dishes.
You will have three lunches in a restaurant when we stop to visit the village. In the other cases, you will have a picnic prepared by your hosts.
You will have dinner in the guest house prepared by your hosts.
Water and wine are included for lunch and dinner.
Languages spoken by the guide: English / French speaking guide.
Group size:
4 to 8 riders.
Arrival airport / train station:
Meeting point directly at the equestrian farm at 9 am on day 1.
Transfers can be organised to and from Cahors train station, to be booked and paid for on site (75 €/vehicle/journey).
Extra night possible from 46 €/person with dinner and breakfast.
Details provided with your travel documents to book these services.
A riding tour at different speeds to enjoy the preserved nature of the Lot. You will ride in a low-traffic part of the path of Saint Jacques. |
"The horses and equipment are in very good condition. The guide was professional and very friendly. The accommodation and meals were of good quality."- Gregory L. (2021)
"A nice and dynamic riding tour with well-cared horses and comfortable, accommodation corresponding to the equestrian farm philosophy;" - Corinne B. (2017).
"Really nice accomodation, I expected we would have to camp but we spent all nights in real beds. Pascal goes out of his way to get us the very best." - Marie N. - (2013)
"Pleasantly surprised by the horses physical condition (mine as well as the others'). Comfortables, sure and well-behaved. Congratulations." - Emmanuel R. - (2012)
6 days / 5 nights / 6 riding
days
LOIRE VALLEYA historic ride in the Kings' Valley. |
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BORDEAUXA wine-tasting ride in the most famous vineyards of Bordeaux. |
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+33 437 02 2000