Ride Overview
The Loire Valley is world famous for its splendid chateaux that command the landscape.
A natural highway to the center of France. The Loire River was traveled from the earliest days and both Celtic and Romans were known to have used the river extensively as a trade route. Unpredictable and sometimes dangerous even today, this river was one of the first that man tried to control but it still remains unruly and wild and is subject to floods, freezes, shifting sands and dangerous currents.
This ride showcases the best this area has to offer in terms of history and architecture and it features the sumptuous Renaissance chateaux such as Chambord and Chenonceau. You will canter through fields and woodland paths that connect these incredible pieces of property to each other and truly feel as though you are stepping back in time.
2024 Dates: June 8-15, June 16-23, Aug. 10-17, Aug. 18-25
2024 Rate: $3,110.00 USD per person in a shared room
Non rider rate in a shared room with a rider: $2,135.00 USD
NOTE: the level of riding for this ride is for an experienced rider who has mastered all 4 gaits (walk, posting trot (posting is mandatory), canter/gallop in a forward seat on varied terrain and in open spaces. You must be able to control the speed and direction of your horse without being rough on their mouth or back. There are many long trots and canters, so you need to be physically fit. You must also be able to mount unaided. If, on the first day of the ride, the guide does not feel you have adequately met these guidelines, you will not be able to continue by horseback but may travel with the support vehicle. A 300 euro fee will be charged for transporting your horse back to the farm. No refunds will be issued in the event you are not able to ride to these guidelines.
Included
- 7 night accommodation
- 6 days of riding
- All meals
- Horse and all tack
- Guiding services
- Support team
- Luggage transfers
- All local taxes
Not Included
- Airfare
- Entry fees to visit the chateau outlined in the itinerary (approx. 100€)
- Beverages in hotels and restaurants
- Transfers
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities for the team at the end of the stay
You will ride to several of the most important Renaissance Chateaux in the Loire Valley (visiting the inside is available for an additional fee):
Day 1
Arrival at Montrichard train station (independent) in the early afternoon. Pre set transfer at 6:30PM for a fee of 20€ per person paid direct to the driver. All riders will meet at the hotel which is near the train station. A briefing on the upcoming ride will be held over an aperitif prior to having dinner and relaxing for the evening.
Day 2
Day 2: After the presentation and distribution of the horses, we leave to reach Fougères sur Bièvre. We have lunch at the foot of this castle. It offers the ideal image of a small castle of the end of the 15th century with a curtain wall, a dungeon, gunboats, a walkway and fortifications.
At the end of the afternoon, the beautifully furnished Cheverny Castle welcomes you for a visit (entry fee not included). This property has been owned by the same family for more than 6 centuries. There you’ll discover a fantastic heritage, authentic and still vibrant.
Dinner and overnight in a B&B or at a hotel.
Day 3
In the morning, we ride to Chambord where we have a picnic. Chambord is the largest castle of the Loire area. Its architectural achievement is unmatched, a wonder of elegance in the heart of an extensive natural forest reserve (13,850 acres).
You have ample time to visit the castle (additional fee) after lunch before you keep riding to the Villesavin castle (16th century), which was mostly kept in perfect integrity through the centuries.
Dinner and overnight in a B&B or at a hotel.
Day 4
We ride through the forest to have our daily picnic at Beauregard castle. Built under François I. This former hunting farm of Chambord has always been famous thanks to its gallery of 327 portraits of well-known characters as well as other remarkable qualities.
There is time to visit of the castle (additional fee) before riding to Candé-dur-Beuvron.
Dinner and overnight in a B&B or at a hotel.
Day 5
We ride along the Loire to Chaumont-sur-Loire. A charming village and UNESCO World Heritage site, Chaumont is also well-known for its feudal castle (late 15th century) overlooking the valley and the village.
We have a picnic next to the castle and afterward, you may enjoy a visit (additional fee) in the afternoon. Not to be missed, its stables built in the 19th century, are considered as the most luxurious in Europe at the time.
We then cross the Sudais Forest to reach our night stop.
Dinner and overnight in a B&B or at a hotel.
Day 6
Departure at 10AM on horseback. To reach Amboise, we go back over the hillside and discover some areas of vineyards and grain crops to arrive in Amboise for the picnic and optional visit to the inside of the castle.
The fifteenth century is the prosperous period of Amboise that the Kings Louis XI, Charles VIII, and François I ° enlarged and embellished .
In the afternoon, we cross the forest of Amboise to reach Saint Martin le Beau where the family Guestault, which manages the hotel and the family restaurant, receives us to taste their wines of Touraine and Montlouis (fee of 5€ per person for the tasting).
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7
After breakfast, we go down into the Cher Valley, a river that we ride along for long gallops. Then, we head to the magnificent castle of Chenonceau built on the Cher.
Named "Château des Dames" for the history of France, built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet, embellished successively by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médici, Chenonceau was saved from the rigors of the Revolution by Madame Dupin. It is the flagship of the Loire Valley.
We have lunch on the site and afterward, you may visit the castle (additional fee). In the early afternoon, we leave the banks of the Cher to arrive the early evening in the town of Pontlevoy.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8
After breakfast, departure for the Montrichard train station.
* This program may be changed slightly according to the season and to weather conditions.
Marie-Claire T.
This Castle ride exceeded my expectations in many ways. Anne France is very knowledgeable and she has everything perfectly organized. All we have to do is ride and enjoy. The trip was spectacular in many ways, the horses provided by Patrice were fantastic and well matched to rider’s ability. The hotels we stayed at were very nice and the food was spectacular, the visits to the Chateaux are a bonus, Anne France’s attention to details made it a five star vacation. What a way to celebrate my b-day!!!
thank you so much!
Nancy S.
The horses are in top athletic condition and superbly trained. What a pleasure to ride such horses!
The guides made sure we were all comfortable and matched well with our horses. Anne is charming and holds her groups needs and wants as her priority. She is thoroughly knowledgeable of the history of the Loire and the castles, always presenting it in an engaging manner.
The accommodations, food and wine were divine!