Rates Note:

If driving in by rental car, arrival on day 1 around 17:00, departure last day is 10:00 AM. The Bergerac-Roumanière Airport is served by low cost airlines RyanAir, flybe and transavia.com. Or take the train to Bergerac train station. If taking the included transfer, you will be met at the railway station or the airport in Bergerac (there is no specific pick up time- let us know your travel plans to confirm transfers) and transferred to the manor house for dinner and to settle in for the week.

Day 1  Saturday 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 or people arrive directly by car to the Bourdil around 17.00.
Day 2   After breakfast try out the horses in the paddock at the Bourdil and select appropriate horse for rider. Visit by car the nearby Issigeac street market which is great fun and full of local color and have a quick lunch at the Bourdil before riding off for a long afternoon, (length of ride determined by the preferred choice of the group as first day of riding). Return home to the Bourdil, followed by drinks and dinner at the manor house.
Day 3 Ride through the Caudeau valley, visiting the villages of Montclard, Saint Georges, St Martin des Combes and Clermont de Beauregard and passing the Chateau de la Gaubertie. After lunch, return to the manor house A visit to Chateau Belingard by car for a wine tasting followed by another wonderful dinner and overnight.
Day 4 In the morning mount up and ride through the village of Lamonzie Montastruc and across la Forêt de Liorac to the private Chateau Garraube where you will picnic on the terrace looking out over the formal gardens.  Ride on to Pressignac-Vicq where the horses will stay overnight. Return to the manor house by car.
Day 5  Wednesday  The day is free. Group visits of local sites can be arranged, you can do a tour of your own, possibly taking a train to Sarlat the best preserved medieval village in France  or just relax at the house, the choice is yours. Lunch and dinner out, either enroute back from tourist sites, or at a local hostelry. A list of suggested restaurants will be provided.
Day 6 After breakfast transfer to Pressignac-Vicq by car. Ride to the Dordogne river a spectacular ride with wonderful views. Picnic. Ride back to Pressignac- Vicq where the horses stay overnight, return to the Bourdil Blanc  by car.
Day 7 After breakfast transfer to Pressignac-Vicq by car. Ride back to the manor house for your final night and farewell dinner, stopping off at the truffle farm at Ste Foye de Longas for a visit en route where Mr. Martin will explain how he grows and cultivates truffles.  You will have the opportunity to purchase some of the delicious foods.
Day 8 Saturday  Departure after breakfast.
Subject to change. Itinerary may vary.

The Dordogne is a country of many faces in its geographical features and climate. The temperate climate is evident throughout the Périgord in the gentle winters and moderate summer temperatures.  The position of the valleys, the rolling hills, the profile and position of the forested hillsides, the clear felled land and the lakes all create a range of particular climatic zones.  Summers are generally hot and dry.

Please Note: bring some cash to buy things in local markets, for tips, for taxis...light meals when travelling. It is possible to do laundry if need be.

Accommodations: 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 seats 14 with ease. The staircase leads from the living room to the upstairs landing. There are 4 large double bedrooms: with 4 double and 2 single beds numerous cots and a crib and 4 en-suite bathrooms. There are three double bedrooms and a shower room and WC on the third floor. The occupants can also use another bathroom on the ground floor.

The Wing comprises a large living room with open fireplace and 2 double sofa beds. There is a double bedroom (with double bed). A second fully fitted and equipped kitchen. A bathroom and a private walled garden. The Pigeonnier (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. There is a heated outdoor pool and tennis court.

There is a TV (both French and UK satellite) video, DVD and music centre in the living room.  Please help yourself but be conscious of other people’s choices.  Ask for instruction to use the Satellite TV.

Meal Times:
  Breakfast 8:30
  Lunch – picnics or at le Bourdil between 12 and 14h00
 Apertifs/drinks 19h30 followed by dinner between 20h00 and 20h30.  8 p.m approximately

Cuisine:  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 and strawberries served with a variety of excellent local wines. All this prepared by our local cook. You will also be invited to have one meal out in a pre selected restaurant which is included in your holiday price. Vegetarians and special diets can be well catered for at the house as long as we receive sufficient prior warning, but please make sure that these are included on the booking form.. 

Note: Continental Breakfasts are served with croissants, bread, butter and  a selection of jams, muesli, yoghourts, fruit, juices and coffee and tea (Les petits déjeuners sont servis avec les croissants, pain, beurre, une sélection de confitures, muesli, yaourts, fruits, jus de fruits, café et thé)

Wednesday is the non riding day when guests can go out for lunch and dinner (Le mercredi c'est le jour de repos des clients et des chevaux où vous mangez à l'exterieur).

All dinners are served with the finest local Bergerac wines, red, rose and white, beer and soft drinks in unlimited quantities (Tous les dîners sont accompagnés du vin local de Bergerac rouge, rosé et blanc, bière et des boissons non alcoolisées en quantités ilimités).

Sample Menu

 

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

Hard hats: please wear one at all times when riding. A mounting block is available – Please ask for it. No smoking allowed in the stable yard. The fence and also the meadow behind the lake are electrified at night. Antoine is responsible for our safety and the well being of the horses. You will be given a prepared statement to read before getting on your horse.

Tack:		French trail saddles; snaffle. Saddle bags are provided
Horses:		Anglo-Arab and Arab crosses
Pace:		3-6 hours / day; moderate pace with good distance canters | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 4 out of 5)    Low Intermediate+
Age:		Min 12
Riders:		Min 4	Max 10

Hard hats: please wear one at all times when riding. A mounting block is available – Please ask for it. No smoking allowed in the stable yard. The fence and also the meadow behind the lake are electrified at night. Antoine is responsible for our safety and the well being of the horses. You will be given a prepared statement to read before getting on your horse.

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.