Landes & Perigord
Southwest France: (IT-FRAN09)
URL: http://www.hiddentrails.com/tour/france_landes_perigord.aspx
Introduction
Southwest
France
A combination ride -- four days and four nights in Perigord in region with its fortified castles, and four days and three nights in Landes along the Atlantic Coast of Cote d'Argent.
In 1152, the marriage of Eleonor and Henry of Plantagenet lead the Aquitaine region into a long conflict, the 100 year war.
Numerous walled towns and castles were built during this period in order to respond to the different strategic, political and economic requirements. We invite you on this journey back in time, roaming on the back of our courageous equine partners. We will journey through harmonious, mellow valleys, and ride towards a magnificent forest where a maze of ancient paths unfold. We’ll discover first Bonaguil, remarkable work of military architecture is the last of the great fortified castles built in France. This castle, which has never been besieged, is perfectly preserved. Then we’ll lead you on a long ride to the Castle of Biron and his impressive medieval village. Finally, you will discover a fine and noble 6-storey Chateau of Gavaudun, built in the heart of the narrow gorges of Lède – a particularly strategic position.
Three days ride in three differents departments of France : Lot, Lot et Garonne and Dordogne; and three differents landscape as well; spending 4 nights at the same Gite *** “ Hameau du Peyrié “ with enjoying the good fodder influenced by the neighbouring Perigourd.
Then will stay three nights and two and half days ride in Landes along the coast and beaches. Where the Atlantic Ocean crashes onto the coast of south-west France lies the Côte d'Argent, a ribbon of silver sand, 150 miles in length, which is popular with surfers, anglers, families, and celebrities in search of a little privacy - and now also for horseback riding enthusiasts.
Exhilarating gallops on fine sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see: this is the Côte d’Argent. The Pays de Born stretches out in the middle of the biggest forest of Europe. Come discover and ride between the wild marshes and ponds. In the company of our horses, the majority are Anglo-Arabs, and enjoy the flora and fauna that makes this site so delightful.
Accomodation
You will stay in unique *** Gite de Charme and **hotels during your ride. The lodgings are not super luxurious, but make more than up for it by their uniqueness and personal charm. They vary from simple B&B type stays to an overnight at a wonderful historic manor house. First two nights and last night are at the Hotel Le Plaisance in Mimizan la Plage. In July and August three of the overnights are camping in tent camps with very nice surroundings - people can swim in the lake, the river or swimming pool at the end of the day. You will find a bathroom and hot shower in each camping place.
Meals: The food, typical from Landes is prepared by the owner. Tasty dishes are served on the terrace or veranda. The lunch provided is a real meal, with tables and chairs. We provide French aperitif and appetizer, Bordeaux red wine, soup or salad according to the weather, chicken or meat and veggies, French cheeses, dessert and coffee or tea. We spend the 5th lunch beside a lake protected by the state. If the weather is fine from June to the end of September, people are allowed to play and swim in the water with their horses.
Two lunches are not included to give you the chance to go and explore the Mimizan beach and its nice restaurants.
A car follows the group for lunch and carries rider's luggage to each accommodation every night. It can happen but very rarely, when the group is only of 4 riders and if we‘ve got two groups in the same time, that the rider have to carry their clothes in saddle bags (provided by the riding centre) for a day and a half.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
Riding
We ride around 30-50 km per day in 5 to 7 hours. Spending as much time walking as cantering or galloping. This trek requires a rather good, fit intermediate rider confident at all paces and able to ride several hours over varied and sometimes challenging terrain. The ground of our forest is often very clean and offers us the opportunity to not have to ride in one line, which can be very boring and bad for the horses. All the canters and gallops in the forest or on the beach start one by one, and very rarely in a group.
If the weather is good from June to the end of September, we organize a swim in the ocean with our horses.
Horses:
A large number of the Anglo Arabian horses come from the family stud farm "des Sables". We take great care in providing horses with a good quality of life.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon, check in, go for a walk around the Hameau du Peyié or a rest beside swimming pool and meet for dinner.
Day 2: In the morning, we start in Lot district to discover the Cahor Vineyards and the Lot Valley. Enjoy lunch in the estate of Caze and then visit the Bonaguil Castle in the evening. This impressive work of military architecture is the last of the great fortified castles in France. The castle, which has never been besieged, is in perfectly preserved.
Day 3 : Around 8:30 we depart in Lot et Garonne district for a long day trip (50 km) crossing the medieval village of St front sur Lémance with his fortified church. We reach the fine Castle of Biron where we will stop for lunch before the visit. Then we start for the picturesque village of Saint Avit, before to reach in the middle of the afternoon the Castle of Gavaudun. Then ride back to the comfortable Gite at Bonaguil. You will be exhausted after this very exciting day’s ride with lot of long canters
Day 4: We depart in Dordogne district at around 9:30 am to discover forest, landscape and nice architecture of Périgord, with lunch at the foot of the Castle of Sauveterre. You will have many opportunities to canter in the morning, and then the afternoon to relax in the Hameau du Peyrié Gite.
Day 5: Start to The Atlantic Coast at 9h00 for lunch and an half day ride of four and a half hours, including a stop of 45 minutes allowing time for everybody to get acquainted around a cup of tea, cakes and orange juice. The surroundings are very beautiful and with excellent views of the ocean from the top of natural dunes.
Day 6 : Today is a varied day that starts with a ride along the coast before we head inland to discover the Tirelagüe marsh, Sintias lagoon and Bourg le Vieux lake. In the afternoon, we return towards the coast, riding through the sand dunes before finishing with a ride along the banks of the River Courlis. Throughout the week we can enjoy excellent meals with extensive lunches on the trail.
Day 7: On our last full day of the trail in Landes, we head towards the Etang d’Aureilhan, the large lake just to the north of Mimizan. We spend the afternoon riding along its shores before finishing the day with a sunset ride along the beach.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast and transfer to Bordeaux.
Subject to change. Depending on the tide .. we may start the ride in Landes and end in the Perigord.
Rates and Dates for Landes & Perigord
Rates include:
Accommodation in Gite de Charme *** and hotels**; most meals, 6 riding days - 3 in Landes and 3 in Perigord region, transfers from Bordeaux
Packages and Options
| A | 2010 | 8 day trip, AP | €1299 | $1990 |
Transfer Option:
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2010
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Transfer from Bordeaux included - mid afternoon
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Tour Dates
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| A |
2010
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03/28
- 04/04
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
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6
/10
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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05/23
- 05/30
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
6
/10
|
Reserve
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| A |
2010
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09/26
- 10/03
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8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
6
/10
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2010
|
10/03
- 10/10
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
|
6
/10
|
Reserve
|
|
Dates Note:
Other Info
Meeting: Bordeaux
Airport: Bordeaux
Transfer: Pick up in Bordeaux (airport) early afternoon
Climate: The Bordeaux
climate could be classified as oceanic-temperate, with moderate
temperatures in both winter and summer. There are on average 2,000
hours of sunshine per annum. The nearby Atlantic Ocean
has a major effect on the difference between day and night
temperatures. Cool nights in the summer keep acidity levels in the
grapes high, helping ensure that they stay healthy.
What To Bring:
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… this list is only a guideline for you
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Travel documents and Voucher
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Flight tickets
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Passport
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Visa (check with your consulate)
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RIDING GEAR
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Comfortable riding jeans or johphurs
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Riding boots (short) + Minichaps
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Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)
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Riding gloves
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Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection
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Lightweight Rain coat
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PERSONAL CLOTHING
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Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
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Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
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Jeans
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Shorts
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Underwear and socks
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Pyjamas
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Bag for dirty clothes
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Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes
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Swimsuit
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ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
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Sleeping bag (July and August only)
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Personal Toiletries
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Insect protection
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Personal medications
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Sore cream (for an emergency)
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Flashlight
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Handkerchiefs
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Adapter for electric appliances
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Camera and enough extra batteries
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Belt pack
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Address book and pen (for postcards!)
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Sun glasses with strap
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Sun tan lotion and lip balm
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