France’s Perigord Castle Ride (Purple)

Day 1

If you come by car, arrive in time for the meeting at the end of the afternoon at the B&B. Optional transfer from Bergerac airport or train station can be arranged for 20€ per person, round trip.

Day 2

Departure of the ride at about 10AM, after your introduction and familiarization with your horse. This day is devoted entirely to horseback riding through the many paths that surround the equestrian farm, including a part of the famous trail to Santiago de Compostela.
You will discover the traditional architecture of the Perigord: dovecotes, farms, character houses like the 16th century Stacking House in Bournel, or the Priory of Mesnil Saint Martin dating from the 13th and 18th centuries. It was restored in 1980 by a religious community. Today it is a private dwelling.
Lunch is a country picnic.
Overnight in a guesthouse. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3

After breakfast, you will ride on the wooded ridges towards the village of Castillonnès. After crossing this 13th century country house (chateau), you will reach the charming village of Eyrenville for lunch.
Long canters in the hilly paths and on the limestone plateaus take you to the village of Faux where you leave your horse.
Overnight and dinner in a bed and breakfast.

Day 4

In the morning, you cross the forest to discover the Lanquais renaissance castle. You then ride down in the Couze valley, a small river that you follow until the castle of Bannes.
Picnic in the heart of the park of this magnificent private castle of the fifteenth century.
In the afternoon, you will pass through the village of Molières before reaching your evening stop at Cadouin, with its 11th and 12th century Cistercian abbey.
Overnight in a simple hostel.

Day 5

After a ride through woods and forests, you reach the village of Montferrand du Périgord for your lunch. This village in the Couze Valley is nestled at the foot of a medieval castle that gave birth to it. The earliest known document citing the castrum of Monte Ferrando is a charter of 1286.
You continue your route to Monpazier, a 13th century country village. Ranked among "The most beautiful Villages of France", it remains the best preserved village of the Southwest.
Overnight and dinner in bed and breakfast.

Day 6

You take the time this morning to visit the village of Monpazier.
After the picnic lunch, you continue on your horseback journey of this area. You leave the Dordogne region for the Lot et Garonne, discovering the castle of Biron. This castle of the twelfth and eighteenth centuries, listed as a Historic Monument, was the seat of one of the four barons of Perigord as it occupies a strategic position on the edge of Perigord and Agenais. It's story is linked to the size of a family, Gontaut-Biron, who held the fiefdom for eight hundred years.
Arrival at Saint Avit. Overnight and dinner in a bed and breakfast.

Day 7

Following the Lede Valley, you join the Bastide de Monflanquin for a picnic at the lake. Monflanquin is a picturesque village of the thirteenth century, perched on his "pech", located in a hilly region, between Agen, Perigord and Quercy, compared by Stendhal to "a small Tuscany". This experience is a true delight indeed!
After many canters and gallops, you arrive at the farm to spend the evening and night.

Day 8

After breakfast, departure and transfer to Bergerac train station or airport.

NOTE: This is an indicative itinerary that can be modified if necessary.