Dordogne Getaway

Introduction
Dordogne France
This riding holiday is centered in and around the spectacular countryside of the Dordogne in south-western France, near the town of Bergerac. From the moment you turn into the tree-lined driveway that leads up to the house, you'll feel your body and mind relax as you realize your dream holiday has really and truly started. Your French riding guide is an expert horseman and, as well as welcoming you into her charming home, your English host will introduce you to owners of local vineyards and chateaux, making your stay delightfully personal. You will be riding through thousands of hectares of the region's most beautiful private estates.

Following trails which take you through a dynamic countryside of thick forests, hidden valleys, pretty vineyards and meadows, you will soon begin day-dreaming that you are indeed the 'duc' or 'duchesse' of all you survey as you'll come across no other horses or riders, and hardly will there be a gate to open all day long.

We have taken great care to plan the rides - very different each day - to ensure that experienced riders have the opportunity to enjoy long energetic trots and exciting canters, as well as the relaxing walks and conversation with new friends, when you'll have time to share your experiences with your guide and companions. On several nights the horses stay out and riders are transferred back for dinner and overnight - allowing for a wide variety of interesting trails across an ever changing countryside during the week.

Driving into the estate you will glimpse through the trees on the right the spacious tennis court and swimming pool, and to the left you will usually see one or two of our horses curiously looking out from their stables. Le Bourdil Blanc is a beautiful 18th century manor house, recently restored to its former glory and now a warm, friendly and elegant home decor, comfortably set in its own private grounds extending over 7 acres. On arrival, you will be met by Bernadette, who, with a welcoming glass of kir will make you feel instantly at home in the roomy, comfortable and warm interior. Although Le Bourdil Blanc is a private house, we encourage all our guests to treat it as his or her own. Guests quickly settle in to a 'house party' mode, relaxing around the log fire with a glass of wine and enjoying each others conversation.
 

Accomodation
 

Accommodation
This is a stationary ride, so you will be staying in the same location during the trip.

Description

Main Building
A large entrance hall/study with a double sofa bed, leads onto the main living room, with open fireplace, satellite TV and two double sofa beds. A dining room that seats 14 with ease. The staircase leads from the living room to the upstairs landing.
Upstairs, there are 4 large double bedrooms (all with en-suite bathrooms): with 2 double and 4 single beds, numerous cots and a crib. 
Downstairs, there are 3 double bedrooms one with 2 twin beds and another with a double and 2 single beds and the last with a double bed. Each room comes with their own shower room and WC on the second floor. 
The occupants can also use another bathroom on the ground floor.

The Wing
It comprises a large living room with open fireplace and 2 double sofa beds. There is a double bedroom (with double bed), a fully fitted and equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a large walk in shower and a private walled garden.

The Pigeonnier
This converted dovecote has a vaulted living room with 2 double sofa beds, an open fireplace and a fully fitted and equipped kitchen. There are 2 double bedrooms (1 double and 2 single beds), a bathroom and a private garden.

Stable Block
There are 3 recently restored double bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms

Amenities include a  heated outdoor pool, tennis court, free Wi-FI, a TV (both French and UK satellite), DVD and music center in the living room.  Please help yourself, but be conscious of other people’s choices.  Ask for instruction to use the Satellite TV.
Washers and dryers are free to use in both kitchens. Please help yourself and please clean up as necessary.

Smoking: Please do not smoke in the bedrooms and bathrooms! Otherwise, in the communal areas please feel free to do so, but please first ask your fellow guests - especially at meal time!

Room Occupancy
We do not charge single supplements for solo travelers.

 

Meals
All meals are included in your package except for the dinner on Thursday night.

One of the highlights of your stay will be relaxing in the lounge with a drink after the day's exertions, discussing the day's events, before enjoying a delicious dinner based on regional cuisine such as duck, foie gras, truffles, asparagus... All this prepared by our local cook with fresh ingredients.

 

Continental Breakfasts are served around 8:30 am and typically include croissants, bread, butter and  a selection of jams, muesli, yoghurts, fruit, juices and coffee and tea.
Lunch is either picnic style on the trail or taken at the accommodation, usually between noon and 2pm.
In the evening, aperitifs/drinks are served around 7:30 pm and dinner is served around 8pm.

All dinners are served with the finest local Bergerac wines, red, rose and white, beer and soft drinks in unlimited quantities.

 

Sample Menu

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

Riding

Riding Experience
To join these rides you should have a reasonable amount of previous riding experience and should be comfortable, confident and in control on a well-schooled horse at a walk, trot and fast canter.
In addition, as we will be riding across varied terrain, riders need to be reasonably fit. We try our best to match riders of similar ability, so please be honest in filling out the application form, as less experienced riders may hold others back and not get the most from their horse or the rides. 
Riders will be shown the daily routine with the horses on the first day and are then very welcome to help prepare, tack up and un-tack their own horse each morning and evening, although this is not compulsory! 

Pace
Overall, the pace of the rides is moderate with lots of chances for good long canters. We have taken great care to plan the rides - different each day - to ensure that experienced riders have the opportunity to enjoy long energetic trots and exciting canters. Each ride allows for approximately 3 hours riding in the morning and 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon.  We spend between 4 and 6 hours in the saddle each day. However, if you wish to have a day off, or ride for just half a day, this can easily be arranged.

Terrain
Trails take you from village to village, through woodland and along forest tracks where there are regular opportunities to trot and canter. The local environment of forest, fields of crops, vineyards and small villages means canters may be short and you often need to ride in single file, but you will move on where the going allows.
This region of France is thick with private chateaux and much of the riding is through these country estates and over private land, with some routes passing through villages and farmyards.
The countryside itself is rolling with forested hills, valleys, vineyards and grassy meadows and there are miles of wide tracks through the forest as well as narrower paths that wind through woods, along river banks and skirting cultivated land, so it is important to follow your guide's lead to avoid destroying the hard work (and goodwill!) of the farmers who grant us exclusive access to their ground.
Please note that while we keep riding on tarmac to a minimum, there are occasions on which you ride down quiet country lanes and through sleepy villages. The routes taken cover new ground as far as possible rarely covering the same ground and then only for the shortest of distances.

The Horses
The horses are in the main home-bred crosses with Arab and Anglo-Arab blood. They average about 15hh to15.2hh, although there are some smaller ponies for children. They are specialized in trekking, with calm temperaments, very reliable and not easily spooked. They are well motivated, well schooled and well behaved, and extremely well loved. We can assure you they are also definitely not 'nose-to-tail' trekking types.
We are convinced that if the horses could talk they would agree with us that they live a charmed life. Their home is a recently converted 18th century barn. There are 11 spacious loose -boxes, with deep straw beds and open bars in between so they can see and talk to each other. They also spend a great deal of time grazing in the paddocks behind the house and paddling in the lake.
We select horses for each riders from a wide range, always according to the experience and ability of the riders, which is why it is important to complete the booking questionnaire as fully and honestly as possible. It is as important to us as it is to you that you and your horse are well suited and will get on well from the start. (On the first day, we insist all riders must try out their horse in the paddock behind the house before setting off on the ride).

Tack
The saddles are specialized French trekking saddles (Forestier, Gaston- Mercier etc) and are very comfortable. Hard hats are mandatory and each rider must bring their own! A mounting block is available – Please ask for it.

Staff
Your French-speaking English host, Jane, has lived here for over 20 years and, as the author of a best-selling guide to the Dordogne, she is the perfect person to show you the hidden treasures, as well as the justifiably famous sights.
On each ride, you will be accompanied by Antoine. Antoine trained at l'Ecole National d'Equitation in Saumur and is your French licensed "moniteur" bringing with him full accreditation which is a legal requirement for all riding establishments in France. Antoine and his assistant are experienced, accomplished riders who know the local countryside, regional culture and history well. They are your guides and have total responsibility for your safety and enjoyment at all times.
The safety of our riders and horses is of paramount importance. It is essential therefore that you follow the instructions of the guides at all times.
Bernadette, our cook, will prepare various country salads, regional delicacies (including foie gras), locally baked bread, fresh fruit, and of course the best local Bergerac wines for your daily lunches. In the rare event of bad weather, we stop at local auberges for lunch.

Children
Children are accepted by arrangement with the minimum riding age generally 12 years old, except for family or private group bookings for the whole house when younger children may be taken.

Additional information
No smoking allowed in the stable yard. The fence and the meadow behind the lake are electrified at night.

Itinerary


Sample-Itinerary - subject to changes

A standard week-long riding holiday consists of 5 days riding, though if you wish to have a day off, or ride for just half a day, this is easily arranged, it is after all, your holiday. We are happy to tailor the standard itinerary to suit you where practicable. For those pressed for time, a good alternative is a short break of 4 nights which include 3 to 4 days riding.
Day by day arrangements and routes may be varied by your host and guide depending on the season, the ability and interests of the group and also local conditions. Final decisions are left to the discretion of your guide and host.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival 
You will be met at the railway station or the airport in Bergerac and transferred to the manor house for dinner and to settle in for the week. Alternatively, people can arrive directly by car around 5:00pm.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the manor house

Day 2 (Sunday): Morning Market & Afternoon Ride 
After breakfast at the house, we head for the stables to meet the horses and try them in the paddock under the expert eye of your riding guide, Antoine. Then set off by car at about 10:30 am to visit the street market in Issigeac which is great fun and full of local color. Enjoy morning shopping in the market before returning to the house for an early lunch followed by some horseback riding for 2-3 hours. Return to the manor house in the late afternoon for drinks and dinner with your host Jane.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house

Day 3 (Monday): Ride to Pressignac-Vicq
Breakfast in the house, then mount up and set off riding. Today's route takes you through the village of Lamonzie Montastruc and across la Forêt de Liorac to the private Chateau Garraube with its formal gardens. Then on to the pretty village of Saint Marcel du Perigord where you stop for a picnic lunch near a stream. After lunch ride on to Pressignac-Vicq where the horses will stay overnight. Return to the accommodation by car and Bernadette will cook a delicious, typical local dish to be washed down with some great local wines!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house

Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride along the Dordogne River
Breakfast and drive back to Pressignac-Vicq to meet the horses. Today’s ride takes you down to the Dordogne river - a spectacular ride with wonderful views. Stop on the banks of the river for a drink and a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, ride back to Pressignac-Vicq by a sharply contrasting route with the opportunity for a few good canters. Driven back to the accommodation for a well-earned drink before dinner. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house

Day 5 (Wednesday): Ride back to the Manor House
After breakfast, we return to the horses and ride them back home through the forests to the manor. Stop for a picnic lunch along the way arriving at the manor house in time to change and relax before enjoying another delicious dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house

Day 6 (Thursday): Morning Ride to Wine Estate
Set off on a morning ride through the forests and vineyards either to Chateau Tiregand (owned by the Saint-Exupéry family, one of whom wrote the well known children's book, 'Le Petit Prince') or to Les Terres Vieilles. Both produce excellent local wines and there will be time for an informal and informative wine tasting before riding back to the manor house for lunch.
The afternoon is left free for sightseeing or to relax. We will discuss the options and will happily arrange group visits to local sites of interest, book restaurants and organize hire cars - or you can just relax at the house, using the heated swimming pool and tennis court or perhaps trying the boat on the lake - the choice is yours.
Dinner is not included today and is generally eaten out, either on the way back from the places you visit or you will be driven to a local restaurant, unless someone wants to cook or barbecue at the manor!
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at the manor house 

Day 7 (Friday): Caudeau Valley Ride
After breakfast, a stroll from the dining room to the stable yard to mount up for your last day’s riding. The route takes you through the Caudeau Valley visiting the villages of Montclard, Saint Georges, St Martin des Combes and Clermont Beauregard and passing the Chateau de la Gaubertie stopping at an idyllic picnic site. After lunch return to the manor house on horseback for drinks and a farewell dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Departure after breakfast and transfer to the train station or airport in Bergerac.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non-riders
You could, for example, just stay in bed all day if you wished. But choose to venture out into the grounds. The accommodations has some on-site activities for non-riders including a heated swimming pool, a hard tennis court, a charming lake stocked with carp, a designated trout stream (you will need to purchase a licence locally to fish the stream) and a delightful meadow garden. Racquets, balls and all manner of sporting equipment are supplied, though if you are expert tennis player you might like to bring your own racquet.

There is a spectacular golf course nearby at the elegant Chateau des Vigiers. Designed by Donald Steel this 27-hole course meanders through vineyards and orchards, with stunning views, and a cozy clubhouse with an excellent restaurant. There are many other golf clubs in the area including Chateau des Merles, 9 holes and Villeneuve sur Lot, 18 holes.

There is wonderful walking and also mountain biking locally. We have 2 bicycle at the accommodation and we can arrange hire of additional bikes if you wish.

Being in France, food is never too far from one's mind and we strongly recommend that you non-riders take the opportunity, at least once, to join the riders on their picnic lunch, and the wine-tasting tour. This gives you all the opportunity to experience the same wonderful countryside and chateau lifestyle that the riders will be enjoying every day. And the picnics prepared by our own chef, Bernadette, are unmissable.
We recommend hiring a car for the duration of the holiday so you can easily join the others for the picnic lunches, and maximize the terrific opportunities to explore the many historic and fascinating places nearby, details of which are available at the house.

Rates and Dates for Dordogne Getaway

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Bergerac
Airport: Bergerac
Transfer: Bergerac airport or train station

Climate:
                                            Bergerac area

• Travel documents and Voucher
• Flight tickets
• Passport
• Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

• Comfortable Riding pants or Jodhpurs
• Long riding boots or ankle length with half chaps
• Hard hats – mandatory. Please wear one at all times when riding.
• Riding gloves
• Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection
• Lightweight Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

• Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
• Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
• Jeans
• Shorts
• Underwear and socks
• Pyjamas
• Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes
• Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

• Personal Toiletries and personal medications/first aid kit
• Insect protection
• Adapter for electric appliances
• Camera and extra batteries
• Sun glasses with strap
• Sun tan lotion and lip balm