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Castles of the Loire
Loire
France
The Loire Valley with its beautiful river Cher offers rides into the past with hundreds of castles, cloisters, cathedrals and fortresses, vast forests and great riding trails. The region is also known for its mild climate, vineyards and roses. This is one of the most historic trips in France with abundant riding for experienced riders.
The eight-day trip through the valley of the Loire and its tributaries Cher and Indre with their large forests, where, in the winter, the famous "Chasse à Courre" (hounding) takes place, is a journey through history. The Middle Ages and especially the Renaissance - the time when the king's court of Valois-Orléans-Angoulême had the power and the money to build palaces for pleasance instead of castles for protection - provide the backdrop. Rarely a village or ridge can be found that is not embellished with one of these splendid constructions. But the valley of the Loire has much more to offer! The climate is mild and the soil is fertile. Poplar avenues reflect in rivers, cloisters and cathedrals hide behind cedars and willows and - again and again: castles. Contemplation is first priority. The discrete charm of French provincial life, the scent of spicy herbs, pies and pâtés - zest of life is as deeply rooted as the vines Chinon and Sancerre.
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Progressive Ride (no camping)
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Meeting:
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Blois
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Airport:
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Paris
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Transfer:
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Not available- please take train from Paris to Blois and then a taxi to your first night's accommodation.
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Riders:
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Min
6 riders
Max
12 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
Accommodations in charming guesthouses and historic hotels, all meals, 6 riding days (4-6 hours per day).
| A | 2013 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €1790 | $2330 |
| Single supplement | €415 | $540 |
Rates Note:
Non rider: lodging, breakfast, dinner (need a rental car).
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
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Transfer from Blois Hotel included
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Take train from Paris to Blois. On arrival- please take a taxi to your first night's accommodation
There are excellent train connections from Paris to Blois. From Paris Austerlitz train station there are departures to Blois almost every hour. Travel time from Austerlitz to Blois is approx. 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.
Rates do not include:
Entrance fees about 10-15 EUR per castle. Beverages and wine with dinner not included.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Blois, a city full of history. Afternoon transfer to a nearby country estate. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: The morning ride leads us to Château de Chemery, a very interesting mixture of medieval and renaissance architecture. After a picnic you have time to visit the castle. In the afternoon extended canters will take us along lakes to the banks of the Cher River, where we leave our horses for the night and drive a short distance to our lodgings - a historic estate dating back to the 15th century. The building and rooms are tastefully decorated in a noble style. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: After breakfast short transfer back to the horses. We cross the Cher River to vist the Château de Montpoupon. The château takes its name from a Germanic tribe, the Poppo, who settled here on the rocky promontory at the time of Charlemagne. The site thus came to be known as Mons Poppo (the hill of the Poppos).With the passage of time this evolved into Montpoupon. This impressive medieval fortress give us a real impression of how live was a few hundred years ago. After lunch we ride through forests and along open fields back to our accommodations. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Today we ride to the picturesque Château de Chenonceaux, an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance. It was built on the site of an old mill on the River Cher, sometime before its first mention in writing in the 11th century. The current manor was designed by the French Renaissance architect Philibert Delorme. In rebuilding the Chenonceau château in the 16th century, Thomas Bohier razed the castle-keep and the fortified mill of the Marques family, erecting the new château upon the piers of the former mill and keeping only the ancient donjon: The Marques Tower, which he transformed in Renaissance style. The forecourt reproduces the layout of the former medieval castle demarcated by the moats. Next to the tower, there is also a well decorated with a chimaera and an eagle - the emblem of the Marques family. The monumental entrance, dating from the period of Francis I, is made from sculpted and painted wood. It has: on the left, the coat of arms of Thomas Bohier, on the right those of his wife Katherine Briçonnet - the builders of Chenonceau - topped by the salamander of Francis I and the inscription "François, by the grace of God, King of France and Claude, Queen of the French". We will enjoy our picnic in front of the castle and then ride through the Forest of Amboise, one of the hunting reserves of the kings, to reach our lodgings for tonight, a peaceful country estate. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Today we follow the Loire on horseback on extended trots and canters. In the late afternoon we normally still have time to visit the Château de Beauregard.
This magnificent Chateau with origins dating back to the 11th century is perched atop a hill overlooking the Isere River valley with breathtaking views in all directions, over mountains and valleys, in a private estate of twenty-five acres of rolling farmland and countryside. This castle has been inhabited since the 15th century and impresses with its original decor, paintings and antique furniture. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: We ride to the small fortified castle of Fougères sur Bièvre. The imposing curtain wall was built around 1470 and contrasts with the picturesque small inner courtyard, flanked on two sides by buildings dating from 1450-1475 with doorways crowned by elegant Gothic sculpted pediments. The inside layout is typical of the Middle Ages. In the early 16th century, the building was closed off by a gallery with lowered arcades that is similar to that at the Chateau of Blois. The courtyard wall is decorated in the Renaissance style, with in particular the addition of pilasters with foliated scrolls and capitals. The river Bièvre flows through the garden, which is a lovely place to stroll around. The kitchen garden is composed of raised flowerbeds consolidated with planks or woven chestnut trellises. Dinner and overnight in a historic Country Estate dating back to the 18th century in the midst of a beautiful park.
Day 7: We enjoy a nice ride through the beautiful countryside of the Sologne, a naturepark with extensive woodlands, lakes and meadows. Picnic break today is at the Château de Villesavin with its impressive "wedding Museum" with over 1500 original pieces of the 18th century. In the afternoon we then visit the impressive Chateaux Chambord. The Chateau of Chambord is one of the loveliest Renaissance buildings in the Valley of the Loire. The chateau of Chambord was a retreat for French kings, especially Louis XIV. It was under his auspices that French dramatist Moliere's Monsieur de Pourceaugnac and Le bourgeois Gentilhomme were first produced there. The building of the chateau was begun by Francis I in 1519, and was completed in 1547. Florentine artist Leonardo da Vinci paid a short visit to the building during its construction and added a few embellishments to it. The structure, containing 440 rooms, 365 fireplace, 13 great staircases, and stables to accommodate 1200 horses, stands in a park surrounded by a wall of 22 miles in circumference. 1800 men worked on the chateau. With a special permission we have the opportunity to take a nice canter through the castle park - a finish of a wonderful riding tour - fit for kings. Dinner and overnight as on Day 1.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast.
Meeting:
Blois
Airport:
Paris
Transfer:
Not available- please take train from Paris to Blois and then a taxi to your first night's accommodation.
Take train from Paris to Blois. On arrival- please take a taxi to your first night's accommodation
There are excellent train connections from Paris to Blois. From Paris Austerlitz train station there are departures to Blois almost every hour. Travel time from Austerlitz to Blois is approx. 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.
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Tack:
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French trekking
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Horses:
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Anglo Arab and Arab Cross
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Pace:
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Moderate, long trots and long canters and long gallops, 5 to 7 hours in the saddle per day.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Good Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
6 riders
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Max
12 riders
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You should be comfortable at all gaits with extended trots, canters and gallops. You will need a firm seat and you must be in control of your horse at all gaits.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
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 NoteFranc. more
The mild climate in the Loire region (created by mild breezes blowing in from the Atlantic) has produced an equal mildness and moderation on the part of the people. The Loire is often the line of demarcation in France's weather, between the Northern climate and the Southern.
You can expect frequent showers in the spring months, whereas the summer brings forth sultry, humid heat. The balmy Autumn season produces brilliant red and gold foliage, and lively festivals take place in many towns and villages to celebrate the grape harvest. A damp chill settles over The Loire Valley in winter, and many of the chateaux close. March Temperature 35ºF to 55ºF
Daily Hours Sunshine 8 Monthly Rainfall 2" July Temperature 58ºF to 76ºF
Daily Hours Sunshine 11 Monthly Rainfall 1.5" October Temperature 48ºF to 64ºF
Daily Hours Sunshine 7
Monthly Rainfall 2.8" January Temperature 33ºF to 50ºF
The general atmosphere is relaxed during your ride. Appropriate dress code will be required for our evenings at the castles (no jeans or riding clothes, smart dress- but not too fancy). Luggage is transported each day by a complimentary support vehicle.
| This list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!) |
| Riding boots + Minichaps |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| Rain coat/Wax jacket |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Light summer jacket |
| Warm jacket |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
| Swimsuit |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for the emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and enough extra films |
| Belt pack |
| Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
All overnights are in wonderful lodgings from country estates to historic hotels dating back the the 18 hundreds. Do not plan to lose any weight on this trip -- all meals are of excellent quality from lavish picnics to 3 and 4 course dinners. Wines and drinks are not included with your evening meals.
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Tack:
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French trekking
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Horses:
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Anglo Arab and Arab Cross
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Pace:
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Moderate, long trots and long canters and long gallops, 5 to 7 hours in the saddle per day.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3.5
to
4
out of 5) Good Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
6 riders
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Max
12 riders
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You should be comfortable at all gaits with extended trots, canters and gallops. You will need a firm seat and you must be in control of your horse at all gaits.
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.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Castles of the Loire
Tour Code:
PG-MVL8
8 days /
7 nights
~$2,330.00
Dates :
May to Sept
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | 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. | | C | Intermediate
 | 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. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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