Transfer and Other Options:

Once you have arrived at the chateau, we know you’ll be keen to see the horses. So as soon as you’re settled, you can make your way to the stables to meet the team of equines who’ll be your companions for the duration of your holiday. After this, please join us for an aperitif before a delicious home-cooked dinner, where we can properly welcome you to the Chateau and you’ll know your French riding holiday has truly begun!

The horse riding holidays are organized around a relaxed schedule. You can ride in the mornings for around 3 hours and explore the vast expanse of beautiful and accessible French countryside. Most of the horse riding is on the charming Chemin Rurale (by-ways) which means virtually no cars, although the odd encounter with a French farmer and his herd of cows/sheep is not unheard of.

The farms here are very much homesteads – rather than huge agricultural concerns - with gorgeous rambling barns and quaint French features straight out of the pages of a magazine. The countryside we ride through is immensely interesting and endlessly charming. The nature of the terrain lends itself to riding at a relaxed pace so you can experience the beautiful scenery and wild life. However, there are plenty of opportunities for trotting and cantering and the horses are familiar with the routes, so they’re happy and interested to ride out and forward.
The ability to ride along for hours in a world of your own with no traffic, noise or people is something many riders from the cities can only dream about. You can follow a curve in the chemin and find yourself riding by a farmyard, or through a small hamlet, where anyone who happens to be around will take the time to smile and call out a greeting. You’ll find the local people very friendly, gregarious and welcoming.
Here, time seems to almost stand still and you’ll feel the stresses and strains of everyday life just ebb away as you and your horse absorb the environment around you.

After your morning ride back at the Chateau, there will be a cool refreshing drink waiting for you, followed by a thoroughly delicious lunch which is usually taken alfresco in a shady area of the garden. After this, the rest of the day is yours to relax on the grounds or to set off and explore this outstanding area of France!  Of course, you can always add more riding in the afternoons as well!

Winters are generally mild and rainy (however, expect a certain number of days/nights of freezing temperatures with an occasional snowfall) with summers being rather warm and at times quite hot and humid. Spring and autumn are normally sunny and sometimes windy. During spring and autumn the weather can change quickly, being cool in the morning, hot in the afternoon and cool again after sunset. It is a good idea to dress in layers during these months so as to be prepared for the change in temperatures.

Accommodations

The chateau is situated on seventy acres of land on the Causse de Limogne, with superb views over the surrounding countryside from all rooms. It offers spacious gardens, a large outdoor arena, a cross country course, and the attractive stable block is just a stone’s throw from the house - making it the ultimate way to enjoy riding in France.
When you’re on holiday, and certainly after a few hours horse riding, you’ll want to enjoy a little luxury at the end of the day.
The three Chateau bedrooms are a very good size and extremely comfortable. They all have en suite shower rooms (one also has a bath) with towels, soap, shampoo, shower gel and hairdryer supplied, tea and coffee making facilities. One room has an oak four poster bed, one a super king-size bed, or the option of twin beds if required (please state at time of booking) and the third room opens directly onto the garden and has twin beds.
On the first floor is the main salon room with yet another spectacular fireplace and views out to both sides of the house. This is a large, comfortable room which includes a well-stocked small library with books to suit most tastes - all of which you are welcome to browse through during your stay. The lovely garden area around the house has several shady seating areas, including the 'secret garden' which also has a hammock. For sun worshippers, there are loungers on the two sun terraces - one of which surrounds the new swimming pool (10mx5m). Towels, soap, shampoo, shower gel and hair dryer in bathrooms. Pool towels available.
You'll also find our bread oven which is yet another extremely cool and comfortable place to sit - and although we don’t bake our own bread, it is extremely useful for the odd barbecue.

Meals
Breakfast every day
Lunch every day except Thursday - which is a free day
Dinner -   7 nights stay - Sat, Mon & Fri
                4 nights stay - Arrival evening and one other
                3 nights stay - Arrival evening

Wine, beer, tea, coffee, fruit juices, water and fresh fruit available at all times!

Exploring the Southern French countryside on horseback will boost your appetite - so we're here to keep you well fed! You will have breakfast and dinner (lunch is usually served alfresco) in our vaulted dining room which is situated on the ground floor - and has a magnificent fireplace and doors opening out onto the garden. You’ll enjoy mouth watering home cooked meals with a regional flavor, accompanied by the area's delicious wines. The walls in this part of the house are up to one and a half meters thick - so this room is wonderfully cool and comfortable even in the height of summer! Guests are welcome to wander in from the garden and relax over a coffee or cool drink at any time of the day. Tea/coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine and fresh fruit are available at all times with no additional cost.
On Wednesday, when we do the Couanac Ride, we’ll ride with you to Chateau Couanac, which is home to the Comte and Comtesse D’Armagnac, who will serve you a sumptuous lunch in their grand dining hall! Of course, you can’t be expected to get back on a horse after an experience like that, so we’ll take care of the horses and you will then be driven back to Laumière in our horse drawn carriage!

History
The chateau was built in the sixteenth century by Morlhon de Laumiere, the youngest son of the wealthy and powerful Morlhon family of Rodez and it was originally ‘L’ shaped. In the late 18th century it was sold to aid the family’s diminishing fortunes and the smaller of the two wings fell into disrepair and was finally demolished. The last owner started - and we have continued - the restoration of the Chateau, retaining the original central stone staircase and several superb 16th century fireplaces.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Irish Sport, Anglo Arab, Merens French selle
Pace:		all paces according to riding level | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2 to 4 out of 5)    Novice to Advanced
Age:		Min 14	Max 65
Weight:		Max 200
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 6 riders

All riding is with English tack. All the horses are well-schooled and adaptable. Groups can consist of between 2 to 6 riders and all riders need to feel confident on a horse in the open outdoors and at all paces.
During your stay, please feel free to spend as much or as little time with your horse as you like - bringing in, grooming, tacking up, turning out - in general building up a relationship with him or her. If you’d like to learn more about natural horsemanship, or would like a riding lesson to brush up your skills, Tanya is always happy to arrange things to suit your needs.

If you come as a non rider – whether you have never ridden before or just don’t feel confident enough to ride out in a group – and decide that you would perhaps like to have a go of it or build a bit of confidence whilst you are here, this can be arranged in the afternoons, and organized at any time during your stay with us (paid for separately at the time).

If you’re interested, Tanya can always be persuaded to show you the young stock and explain the breeding program. And don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about the stunning native Merens ponies and learn more about their ancient history and heritage!

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.