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Horseback riding vacations in
France
 Horseback vacations in France are a chance to indulge in the charms of this iconic country. Whether you are drawn to France by the chic boulevards of Paris and the impressive Palace of Versailles, the sparkling ski slopes of the Alps, the country allure of Provence, the fine wines of the Bordeaux region, France offers every kind of escape.
Hidden Trails bring together some of France’s most breathtaking horse riding holidays, covering some of the most beautiful locations. Castles in the Loire, Mediterranean hideaways, and culinary tours in Provence are but a selection of the French horse riding tours we have on offer.
Horse Riding in France
France has a long tradition of horse riding - the French term 'randonnée' was in fact the original definition for “riding tour”.
France has an extraordinary network of cross country trails, and endless opportunities for relaxation, fun and experiencing French culture.
Of course, French Cuisine is always high on our horse riding holiday agenda. Come and try it for yourself and see why the French cuisine makes grown men weep. We travel in style with overnights in cozy country inns and picturesque castles.
Our newest addition takes you on a riding tour not far from Paris from the Castle of Vaux le Vicomte to the Palace of Versailles.
Hugely popular horse riding holidays in Loire offer horse riding amongst the grandiose Renaissance Castles of the region – with plenty of time for sightseeing and indulgence. Provence, too, offers an array of indulgent horse riding escapes, mixing fine food and riding with the glorious landscapes that inspired the likes of Cezanne.
Other lesser known regions have just as much to offer. You can also discover on horseback the unspoilt and rugged Pyrenees in the Pay Basque, bordering Spain. Landes offers miles of unspoilt sandy beaches that you can explore on out Cote d'Argent or Gascogne rides.
Hidden Trails now offer a horse riding tour that explores the Bordeaux Wines & Castles. Bordeaux needs no introduction as a region famous for wines such as Lafite, Latour, Mouton, and Margaux. The wineries in the Medoc provide the frame for this winery-tour in the Bordeaux area, and offer many opportunities to taste the delectable wine of some very famous cellars. This is a riding tour for lovers of French culture.
Dordogne is where the "Perigord Noir" (the black Perigord), received its moniker from the spacious, dark oak forests. Who wouldn't want a castle between the lovely rivers Dordogne and Végère? This is France out of a picture book. In addition to wine, you will become familiar with the cuisine of the region including goose liver paté, cheese of Rocamadour and, of course, the wines of the Cahors.
One of the fastest pace rides can be found on our Morvan Ride in Burgundy.
France Climate & Weather
France is a large country with many regional weather patterns.
Burgundy and Alsace experience hot dry summers, usually around the mid to high 20’s (°C). It can sometimes reach 30 or 35°C in the height of summer.
Loire is mild most of the year, with the climate considered the most pleasant in northern France. The Loire experiences warmer winters and the summers rarely exceed 38 °C.
The Basque climate depends on the prevailing wind, but generally temperatures are not extreme. In the coast, temperatures are an average of 19 ºC in summer and 9 ºC in winter. The highest temperatures can hit the mid 30's ºC when the Foehn wind blows.
Provence and the South of France generally experience Mediterranean weather patterns. In summer temperatures can reach 30 °C, whilst winters average around 10 °C (but can go as low as 2°C)
Bordeaux and Southwest France experience generally very pleasant weather. Summers range between 15 and 26 °C, whilst winters can drop to around 2 °C, but generally average around 10°C.
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Holidays on horseback in France
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Below is a list of our trips in this area with video clips.
 Click on the 'watch video' icon
to view a video clip,
France
Travel restrictions
As of June 15th, French borders with other European Union member states are open. For more information regarding travel within the European Union, see the following link: https://reopen.europa.eu/en
Restrictions entering France from outside the European Union remain in place.
As of August 5th 2020, air passengers arriving from certain countries must present “results of a negative virology COVID-19 test (a PCR test for example), carried out less than 72 hours before the flight” or they will not be allowed to board their flight to France. Please note this testing requirement applies only to travelers who are otherwise allowed to travel to France. Entry by non-essential travelers is suspended regardless of COVID-19 test status.
Travelers arriving in France must self-isolate for 14 days if they have no symptoms. Anyone displaying symptoms could be subject to quarantine for up to 30 days.
Measures taken by the government
On May 7th, Prime Minister Philippe presented the government’s de-confinement strategy for France. A three-week progressive de-confinement period began on May 11th.
The French Government has announced the next phase of de-confinement, which began June 15th, 2020. Cafes, bars, and restaurants are fully open, as are schools and public transportation.
As of October 17th, and continuing for at least four weeks, local curfews have been imposed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Paris, Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Saint-Etienne, Rouen, Montpellier, and Toulouse.
Cloth face coverings are mandatory in indoor settings and on public transportation. Some cities have made face coverings mandatory in all outdoor areas as well.
The Government of France imposed a new nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 on October 30th, with certain restrictions easing November 28th.
The Government of France imposed a stay-at-home curfew on December 15th. The curfew is from 8 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., except for December 24th, when families can celebrate Christmas with no more than six adults per household. The curfew holds for New Year’s Eve
Useful FAQ from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
A toll-free hotline service (French only) can answer your questions about the Coronavirus COVID-19 non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0 800 130 000 (from abroad: +33 800 130 000, depending on your operator).
If the symptoms get worse, with breathing difficulties or signs of suffocation, dial 15 or call or send a text to 114 if you have a speech or hearing impairment.
Source:
US Embassy in France https://fr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on January 13th (checked on January 13th)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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