Ride Overview
Seven days of pure happiness, 4.5 on horseback in the Loire valley. We start by Saumur, vineyards, troglodytes caves, castles. We are going on great history tour of the Plantagenets, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Valois, Joan of Arc.
We are welcomed by French aristocrats in their château, and we ride in wonderful countryside: famous Loire vineyards, forests and rivers: Loire, Vienne, Indre …
And we finish by the wonderful chateau de Villandry and its famous gardens.
2025 Date: June 9-15
2025 Rate: $4,550.00 USD per person in a shared room (Single Supplement: $895.00 USD)
2026 Date: One Special Week – April 12-18
2026 Rate: $4,905.00 USD or 4090,00€ per person in a shared room (Single Supplement: $1,020.00 USD or 850,00€)
Non rider sharing a room with a rider: $2,690.00 USD or 2240,00€
Non rider sharing a room: Price on request
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 4.5 days of riding
- All meals
- Wine with meals
- Horse and all tack
- Guiding services
- Luggage transfers
- Visits as outlined in the itinerary
- All local taxes
Not Included
- Airfare
- Visits not outlined in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Transfers to/from the train station
- Gratuities for the team at the end of the stay
Day 1: Arrival
Independent arrival at hotel La Croix Blanche****, hotel de charme in front of Fontevraud Abbey.
Briefing, dinner and night in La Croix Blanche
Day 2: Troglodyte cave & Fontevraud Abbey
AM – 3h riding
Departure on horseback toward Loire Valley. We ride through the gorgeous former troglodyte village of Souzay-Champigny to reach Montsoreau and its beautiful castle on Loire banks. Lunch in Montsoreau.
PM – walking tour
We discover the royal abbey of Fontevraud where Eleanor of Aquitaine used to live. We admire its magnificent architecture which houses the former throne along with Richard Lionheart and Henry II Plantagenet tombs.
Dinner and night in hotel La Croix Blanche.
Day 3: Chateau of Brézé & Saumur
AM – 2h riding
We leave Fontevraud by countryside and vineyards to reach the beautiful castle of Brézé. We are welcomed by a wine-maker at La Giraudière cellar for a gourmet picnic and wine tasting of the estate.
PM – 1h riding
Visit of Brézé and its spectacular troglodyte moat, unique in Europe. This castle belongs to the same De Colbert family since XVIIth, whom former ancestor used to be Louis XIVth’s banker.
Afterward, departure on horseback by Saumur’s vineyards. End of the ride in front of Saumur castle with its spectacular view on Loire Valley.
Last dinner and night in hotel La Croix Blanche.
Day 4: Chateau of Saumur & Chinon fortress - Wine tasting
AM – walking tour
We start our day by visiting Saumur castle, set on a rock overlooking the Loire valley, it used to be a perfect fortress.
You will travel through history with its beautiful horse-riding staff exhibition. Wine tasting in famous Saumur vineyard followed by lunch in local restaurant.
PM – walking tour
We are driven to the village of Chinon. This magnificent fortress set on a rock on the Vienne river, sheltered Henry II Plantagenet at the end of his life. This is also where mythical and historical meeting between Joan of Arc and Charles VII occurred. Free time to visit Chinon fortress.
Dinner and night in lovely hotel de Charme Hotel Diderot*** in the old section of Chinon.
Day 5: Chateau of Ussé - Vienne river
AM – 2h riding
Beginning of the ride to Chateau d’Ussé from Chinon forest – Ride in Chinon forest on old roads only used by riders and horse drawn carriages. Arriving to Chateau d’Ussé, the « Sleeping Beauty » Chateau. Lunch in Ussé.
PM – 1h riding
Ride to Brehémont with great long canters along Indre river, woods and orchards.
Dinner and night in wonderful Chateau de Gizeux where you will be personally welcomed and hosted by the owners.
Day 6: Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau & Villandry
AM – 3h riding
We start our day 6 by visiting the beautiful chateau of Azay le Rideau set on an island on the river Indre. Departure on horseback for Villandry castle. Lunch in Villandry, in front of the magnificent castle.
PM – walking tour
Last afternoon with the visit of majestic castle of Villandry and its fantastic « à la Française » gardens.
Last dinner and night in Chateau de Gizeux
Day 7: Departure
Breakfast and departure.
Breakfast in Gizeux followed by your free departure. Transfers (not included) for Saint Pierre des Corps train station or Fontevraud.
Carleton H.
This trip – Just FAB!
Our Loire Valley trip was wonderful on all fronts: amazing scenery, stunning châteaux, wonderful food, fantastic horses that perfectly matched our ability and preferences, and an engaging and knowledgeable guide. I cannot say enough good things about this trip!
Stacey Adams was also so proactive in helping us understand the changing requirements of traveling during COVID, that we really had no worries at all. Everyone should take this trip – you won’t regret it a moment!