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!
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We are riding through the "Via Podiensis", one of the Saint James of Compostela pilegrinage’s contemporanean way 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 GR 651. 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
Today we ride in the Célé valley. We have a picnic lunch in the heart of the former Espagnac priory. In Saint Eulalie (a church from the Xth century), we leave the banks of the Célé and ride back to the causse, in the paths between the walls and the dry stone huts. In the evening, we arrive at the mountain cabin, and can enjoy the swimming pool if the weather is good. Dinner in the cabin’s restaurant and night in the mountain cabin.
We spend 5 hours riding (about 30 km).
Day 3: Béduer – Saint Jean De Laur
Today, we ride in the GR 65: the main Saint James pilgrims’ way in France, allowing us to ride through the Lot and Célé valleys. We have lunch in Gréalou: a village at the top of the causses. In the afternoon, a corbel arch path leads us to Cajarc. We leave the horses for a while and have a rest and a guided visit of Carjac. We end our day by riding on the rock where our accommodation for the next two nights is: the Gayfié Domain. Night in an individual house and dinner in the domain.
We spend 5 hours and a half riding (about 35 km).
Day 4: Day ride around Gayfié
Riding excursion in the border between Quercy and Rouergue: sports day or free-time around the Domain. We have lunch alongside the Bannat Lake. In late afternoon, we ride back to the Gayfié Domain.
We spend 6 hours riding (about 35 km).
Day 5: Saint Jean de Laur – Concots
Today, we ride through the " Cami Gasco " or " Cami Ferrat ", a very old Roman way which formerly linked Caylus to Cahors. We can enjoy the landes, garrigues and green grass, full of orchids on the path among the sinkholes. We visit the very beautiful Couanac Castle from the XIIth century and ride to our accommodation. We spend the night in a rural Quercy inn. The dinner is a local meal. We eat and spend the evening with our hosts around the traditional chimney.
We spend 5 hours riding (about 30 kms).
Day 6: Concots – Cabrerets - Equestrian Farm
We leave the GR 65 after Concots, riding among the giant sinkholes, and see the magical beauty of the Lot valley again. We stop to visit this village museum, a place where painters and writers where formerly elected. We have lunch in a restaurant of the village and enjoy the local gastronomy and pleasant atmosphere. The last step before the equestrian centre is the towpath dug in the rock.
We arrive at the equestrian farm in late afternoon and enjoy a delicious home-made cake.
We spend 5 hours riding (about 30 kms).
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, the seasons, the availabilities in the hotels and guesthouses.
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| In Saint Jacques' footsteps - 2024 | ||
| October 27 to November 01 | 1390€ | available > sign up |
| In Saint Jacques' footsteps - 2025 | ||
| Dates available soon | ||
| Option - 2024 | |
| Non rider | 890 € |
- Transport to arrive at the start point of the riding tour
- The other drinks
- Optional transfers from and to Toulouse Airport (50 € per vehicle and route to be paid on the spot)
- Registration fees of 15 € per person
- Any other services
- Tips
- 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 riding.
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:
2 to 8 riders
Arrival airport / train station:
Meeting point directly at the equestrian farm at 9 am on day 1.
Transfers can be organized from and to Cahors train station (to book in advance, and then, to pay on the spot 40 €/ per vehicle and route). In that case, plan to arrive in the afternoon the day before, and plan to leave from 12pm the day after.
Extra night possible from 50 €/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. |
"A nice and dynamic riding tour with well-cared horses and comfortable accommodation corresponding to the equestrian farm philosophy;" Corinne B. (May 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