Ride Overview
Ride back into French history – and spend 7 amazing days in and around the most famous castles of the Loire.
Chambord, Beauregard, Cheverny, Blois, Chenonceau, Amboise… These wonderful Renaissance castles bring us into the very heart of French History.
Your week of riding begins by riding in the favorite hunting forests of the Renaissance French kings, then takes you along the wonderful banks of the river Cher and finishes with the chestnut trees of the Amboise forest. And all along the way you see these glorious chateaux and arrive and leave as the early French did – on horseback – this is a magnificent trip and truly a luxury experience not to be missed!
2026 Dates: April 19-25, May 3-9 (FULL), May 10-16 (FULL), May 31-June 6 (FULL), June 21-27, July 12-18, July 19-25, Aug. 10-16 (FULL), Sept. 6-12 (FULL), Sept. 13-19 (FULL), Oct. 11-17 (FULL)
2027 Dates: April 11-17, May 2-8, May 23-29, June 13-19, July 18-24, Aug 8-14, Sept 5-11, Sept 12-18, Oct 3-9
2026/2027 Rate: $4,785.00 USD or 3,990€ per person in a shared room (Single Supplement: $1,020.00 USD or 850€)
Non rider sharing a room with a rider: $3,230.00 USD or 2690,00€
NEW for 2027: Budget Weeks: What’s the difference? 3*** star hotels, no entry fees for tours, no wine/drinks included, non upscale dining.
2027 Dates: April 2-9, April 25-May 2, May 10-17, May 30-June 7, June 28-July 5, July 9-16, July 30-Aug. 6, Aug. 30-Sept. 6, Oct. 11-18
2027 Rate: $3,155.00 USD or 2490€ per person in a shared room (Single Supplement: $560.00 USD or 450€)
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 5 days of riding
- All meals
- 2 glasses of wine with dinner and 1 with lunch
- Tours of all the chateaux including 1 full day of tours
- Guiding services
- Horse and all tack
- All local taxes
Not Included
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Alcoholic beverages other than outlined
- Airport/Train Station transfers
- Gratuities for the riding staff at the end of the stay
LUXURY WEEK
Day 1
Independent arrival to Chateau de la Borde**** for 2 nights.
(41230 Vernou en Sologne between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Aperitif and briefing at 7:00 PM precisely with the guide.)
Dinner and briefing before an overnight at Chateau de la Borde****
Day 2: Chateau de Chambord
AM – about 3 hours on horseback
Beginning of the ride from Chambord along “the Grand Canal” with spectacular views on Chateau de Chambord, then in the large alleys of the Boulogne forest around Chambord.
Back to Château de Chambord on horseback : A Royal Entrance!
Lunch in Chambord.
PM
Visit of Chateau de Chambord.
Gourmet dinner and night at Chateau de la Borde****
Day 3 : Chateau de Beauregard – Chateau de Cheverny
AM – about 1 hour 30 on horseback
Beginning of the ride from Chambord to chateau de Beauregard by the Boulogne forest. We have the privilege to enter by the front path of the chateau: a truly unique experience!
Guided visit of chateau de Beauregard.
Picnic with foie gras in chateau de Beauregard.
PM – 1 hour 30 on horseback
We leave to head to the chateau of Cheverny on horseback by the countryside and the Cheverny vinyards.
Visit of Château de Cheverny.
Dinner and night in Relais des 3 Chateaux ****
Day 4 : Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire and Gardens
AM – about 2hours riding
Departure on horseback from Chaumont village through Loire Valley countryside to reach river Beuvron.
Lunch in a lovely local restaurant.
PM – about 1hour riding
We then enjoy a short riding afternoon through Touraine toward château of Chaumont sur Loire. End of the ride and visit of the château and its famous international garden festival.
Night and dinner in the charming manor Le Clos d’Amboise**** (2026)
Day 5 : Loire Banks – Chateau d’Amboise
AM – about 1 hour on horseback
Beginning of the ride to Amboise by the bank of the river Loire, and the Touraine countryside. Lunch in a local restaurant in Mosnes, a charming village “toureangeau”.
PM – about 2 hours on horseback
Ride to chateau d’Amboise through the countryside – Special arrival to Chateau d’Amboise on horseback by “la porte des Lions” - the medieval king’s door! What an amazing way to end our days of riding before bidding Adieu to our horses!
We then enjoy a private guided visit of the very historical Château d’Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. Gourmet dinner and night in Chateau de Noizay****
Day 6 : Visit of Chateau de Chenonceau and Amboise Town
AM – about 1h30 riding
We start our last day by the visit of the castle and its georgous furnitures and decoration. One last great horseback ride on Cher banks and its amazing view on Chenonceau with it's famous arches, followed by our lunch in l’Orangerie of the château.
PM – walking tour
We finish our week with free time in Amboise to visit lovely château of Clos Lucé, the last home of Leonardo daVinci, or a visit of Amboise old town and its lovely gift shops.
Last goodbye drink with your guide in Amboise. Last gourmet dinner and night in hotel Chateau de Noizay*****
Day 7: Departure after Breakfast
For your planning purposes:
Nearest train station arrival : Blois-Chambord (easy connection for/from Paris 2h)
Nearest train station departure : Saint Pierre des Corps (easy connection for/from Paris 2h)
BUDGET WEEK
Day 1: Arrival
Check-in is free from 6:30 pm at the hotel. Meet our team during a friendly aperitif at 7:00 pm, followed by your overnight stay and dinner at the Hotel La Clef des Châteaux***
NOTE: Drinks and chateaux entry fees are not included in the tour fee and are paid individually onsite.
Day 2: National Estate and Château de Chambord - Approximately 3.5 hours on horseback
You leave Courmemin for your first day of riding around 9:00 am.
The brisk morning ride takes you into the heart of the Sologne region and then onto the bridle paths of the Chambord National Estate, the largest walled park in Europe, before reaching the château for lunch. Chambord, a jewel of the Renaissance built on the orders of Francis I, is an architectural marvel both inside and out, with its famous double-helix staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
After a self-guided tour of Chambord (approximately 1.5 hours), you then head to Mont-près-Chambord where the horses are staying.
Another night and dinner at the Hotel La Clef des Châteaux***
Day 3: Sologne-Touraine Threshold - Château de Beauregard - Approximately 4 hours on horseback
For this second day of riding, you'll set off around 9:00 am from Tour-en-Sologne towards the Château de Beauregard, where you'll have lunch.
Beauregard, a small 15th-century château, offers a self-guided tour during which you can admire its lapis lazuli ceilings and its Portrait Gallery. After the self-guided tour (approximately one hour), you'll gradually leave the Sologne region and enter Touraine, arriving in the village of Ouchamps. This day is rich in varied landscapes and scenic beauty.
Overnight stay and dinner at the magnificent Relais des Landes****
Day 4: Touraine - Château de Fougères sur Bièvre - Approximately 4 hours on horseback
On the fourth day, you'll discover the charming Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre.
We'll depart on horseback from Ouchamps around 9:30 am, arriving in Fougères by late morning. Built in the 15th century by Pierre de Refuge, treasurer to King Louis XI, this small, perfectly preserved château boasts unique architecture in the Loire Valley, a blend of medieval and Renaissance styles. Enjoy a self-guided tour (approximately one hour) followed by lunch.
In the afternoon, we'll return to Ouchamps by horseback, riding through vineyards and forests.
Overnight stay and dinner at the Relais des Landes****
Day 5: Loire Valley - Village and castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire - Approximately 4 hours on horseback
Departure from Ouchamps to cross the Beuvron River at Candé, arriving by late morning at the banks of the Loire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the magnificent Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire overlooking them.
A former medieval fortress, remodeled numerous times over the centuries, Chaumont boasts architecture bearing the marks of the eras it has witnessed, as well as its superb stables, including a circular riding arena, and its world-renowned Garden Festival.
Lunch near the château followed by a self-guided tour (approximately 1.5 hours).
You then ride along the Loire Valley to reach the village of Mosnes. Overnight stay and dinner at Domaine des Thomeaux*** with its spa or at Clos d'Amboise**** in the old town of Amboise (subject to availability).
Day 6: Amboise Forest - Amboise town & castles - Approximately 3.5 hours on horseback
Your sixth day begins with free time in the old town of Amboise. You can choose between visiting the magnificent Château du Clos Lucé, the former home of the famous Leonardo da Vinci, which houses the museum of his inventions, or the royal château overlooking the Loire River, or simply stroll through the old town (approximately 1.5 hours).
You then rejoin the horses to leave Mosnes and the banks of the Loire, heading southeast to reach the banks of the Cher River and the Château de Chenonceau, which spans them. The horses will spend the night here.
For the riders, another night and dinner are provided, with a transfer to either the Domaine des Thomeaux*** with its spa or the Clos d'Amboise**** in the old town of Amboise (subject to availability).
Day 7: Chenonceau Castle - Montrichard Forest - Approximately 3.5 hours on horseback
You begin your final day on horseback with a self-guided tour of the Château de Chenonceau at opening time (approximately 1.5 hours). Known as the "Ladies' Château" because it notably belonged to Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, this small château with its richly furnished interiors also boasts architecture built of tufa stone, the most famous wing being the one whose arches span the Cher River like a bridge.
Afterwards, you'll set off for a morning ride along the magnificent banks of the Cher to reach Saint-Georges, where you'll have lunch.
The final afternoon will be spent returning to the Cher Valley towards Chenonceau, where you'll conclude your journey.
Motorized return for a final friendly drink with your guide before your last night at La Clef des Châteaux*** in Maslives.
Day 8: Departure
Departure at your leisure after breakfast.
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The magnificent Loire Valley - best seen between two ears!
Vanessa W.
Wow! I started the trip with a couple of days in Paris. Riding in the Loire Valley did not disappoint. It hit all the marks. The accommodations, the food, and the horses exceeded my expectations. We rode through the beautiful countryside, passing and visiting chateaus. A dream come true for sure.
Henriette G.
If you have any interest at all in French (royal) history this is the way to do it: Really nice accommodation, delicious French food (and wine), beautiful scenery in the Loire valley – and the horses!!!! Add to that visiting some of the most interesting and grand castles in this part of France and you can’t ask for anything else.
Well worth the splurge!
Nancy T.
I thought this trip would be great but I had no idea HOW great. Our group was amazing, the places we stayed were “over the top”, great food and vistas everywhere we went!
Best riding trip of my life! Thank you!
David G.
We both had a great time!….Ken is the best at matching horses to people and is a seasoned horseman. His knowledge of the area and local riding is unsurpassed. We enjoyed the group and enjoy riding with people who know what they are doing. I would definitely recommend this ride.
Gretchen S.
Bonjour! Our week of riding could not have been better! We had a knowledgeable guide, responsive horses, exquisitely beautiful scenery, gorgeous and comfortable hotels/chateaux, and last but not least delightful company and delicious dinners (except one). This trip even surpassed our Spain rides at every level!