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Old Stones and Lot Villages


Itinerary for Old Stones and Lot Villages




Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

The itinerary may be modified at any time for security reasons, meteorological or other events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes, and local holidays. We will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.

Important note: The specific level required is the "confirmed rider level".
As a qualified professional of equestrian tourism in France, it is important for the safety of the groups of riders we receive that everyone has the required riding level (see description below).
A person, who doesn't have the required level, causes difficulties for the staff and other participants, with consequences on the good progress of the stay for everyone.
Therefore, we will test riders on horseback on the 1st day before departure on the trail.
If from the first day we judge that a rider doesn't have the required level for horseback riding, he/she will not continue on horseback. They will continue their stay with the logistics team. They will be able to make all the scheduled visits, and eat with the riders for lunch and dinner.
This decision will be made without any refund on the stay.
If, due to poor physical condition, riders ask to stop riding, they are still liable for the 300 euros we charge for transporting the horse.

Our rides are for the experienced rider who has mastered all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter/gallop in a forward seat) on varied terrains and in open spaces. The experienced rider rides regularly, has good physical fitness, has good soft hands, a good attitude, and self-confidence. He controls the speed and direction of the horse in all circumstances. He can ride long distances including gallops of several minutes in open terrain.
Participants need to have experience riding on English-style saddles.  They need to know how to ride in balance: two point position.


Day 1: Arrival
Riders with vehicles may arrive in the late afternoon to the first night accommodation. Riders arriving by train will be collected in the late afternoon at the SNCF train station of Monsempron-Libos.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Puy l’évêque


Day 2: Ride to Cazals
After breakfast, riders are introduced to their horses. We will begin our trek around 10am, making our way to Frayssinnet-le-Gelat Lake, where we stop for lunch. Our afternoon ride brings us to Cazals, an ancient fortified village founded in 1319 by the Seneschal of the King of England: Guillaume de Toulouse or Tolza. This village is characterized by a vast central courtyard around which many houses were built to accommodate the clientele of the numerous friars and the teams driving animals with their drivers. The bastide, or fortified village, was largely destroyed in 1588 when the Marshall of Biron, the Seneschal of Quercy, shot down the village walls.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Marminiac

Day 3: Cazals to Le Vigan
In the morning we resume our trek on the road to Le Vigan, near the confluence of the Bleou and Seguy rivers, right in the heart of Haute Bouriane. Our picnic is waiting for us at the foot of the ruins of L'Abbaye Nouvelle, a Cistercian abbey. Our afternoon trail takes us to Le Vigan, originally called Carbonnac until the 11th century. The ending “ac” dates this settlement back to the days of the Celts or at least to the Gallo-
Romans. In this village we discover a magnificent and impressive church abbey from the 13-14th centuries.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Le Vigan

Day 4: Le Vigan to
After breakfast, we continue our ride towards the Cougnaguet Mill, which was strengthened by Cougnaguet in the 13th century. We will have our picnic break here. The construction of the mill was conducted by Cistercian monks and lasted for 50 years. We journey on after lunch to travel through limestone plateaus, crops, and oak forests.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Rocamadour

Day 5: Rocamadour
Today, we ride to Rocamadour, a small but exceptional village. In the heart of the Parc Naturel Regional des Causses du Quercy, the medieval city of Rocamadour challenges the laws of gravity. Towers, houses, and dungeons cling to the limestone cliffs composing a haughty picture of Christendom. We enjoy our picnic at our guesthouse which leaves us the afternoon to explore the village.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Rocamadour

Day 6: Rocamadour to Souloumes
Today we leave Rocamadour behind as we climb the heights to Carlucet, where our picnic lunch awaits. We then take the trail to Labastide Murat. This ancient fortified village is situated on the limestone plateau of Gramat. We overnight in Souloumes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Soulomes

Day 7: Souloumes to Saint Denis Catus
After breakfast, we follow the valley of le Vers to arrive at the mill of Maquefave where we will have our picnic lunch. We conclude our ride in the village of Saint Denis Catus.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Puy l’évêque

Day 8: Departure
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, riders may depart by car or will be transferred to the train station.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.

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Old Stones and Lot Villages
Tour Code: IT-FRABR07
8 days / 7 nights
Dates : April

Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Standard
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: Trail saddles custom-made for each hor...
Horses: Arabian, Paint horses, and Arabian/Pai...
Pace: We ride moderate to fast paced
...

Walk, Trot, Canter, Gallop,
Airport: Bordeaux Airport
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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