Cote d'Argent Ride Landes France Where the Atlantic Ocean crashes onto the coast of south-west France lies the Côte d'Argent. Here you will find 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 and discover! Ride between the wild marshes and ponds in the company of our horses, mostly Anglo-Arabs, and enjoy the flora and fauna that makes this area of France so special. In this abundance of greenery, dominated by the fragrant flowers in bloom in the spring and the purple heather in autumn, we ride on paths that have the mixed fragrance of many blossoms. Each day we can see deer, stags, squirrels, hare, and heron whilst meandering along the paths. Throughout your holiday we lead you along the coast with its rivers and canals. We help you discover the country as it is- tied to its traditions, its history, and whose rural habitat and picturesque areas are still a living testimony. We would be amiss if we did not mention the excellent gastronomy of the Côte d'Argent region, which is influenced by the bountiful nature of the land! Progressive Ride (no camping) Family Vacation Center-based ride Meeting: Mimizan Airport:   Bordeaux Transfer: Bordeaux airport Trip Brochure (PDF)

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

July 8-15, July 15-22, July 29- August 5th, August 12-19, and August 19-26 is 1 night camping and 6 nights hotel.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

This 6-day riding days program consists of a 5-day trail with one extra day of riding around the riding centre.
There is usually the opportunity to swim in rivers or lakes during the lunch break, so do not forget to bring your swimsuit with you on the ride.

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Pick-up from the Bordeaux Airport (at 4:00pm) or Bordeaux train station (at 5:00pm) and transfer to Mimizan. You should arrive at the guesthouse around 7:00pm. Dinner is at a restaurant (around 9:00pm).
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Bias
After breakfast, we have a small briefing about the program and then clients are transferred to Mimizan beach for 10:30am. Time to visit the village and the beach and lunch in the village (not included in the package) before being picked up at 1:30 pm from in front of the Tourism office center.
At 2:00pm we go to meet the horses and tack them up. At 4:00pm we will meet in the arena for a short 30 minute ride to make sure that everyone gets along with its mount. Then we set off for a first hack in the area surrounding the riding center.
At 7:00pm we are transferred back to the guesthouse (only about 10 minutes drive) and have some time to relax before dinner (around 9:00pm).
Riding approx. 3 hours (about 20 km)
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 3 (Tuesday): Bias to St Julien
After breakfast (around 8 am) we are transferred to the horses and we expect to start our ride around 10am. Today's ride will be through forests and along the coast. We will ride among high sand dunes (up to 150 m above sea level), and if tides allow us, we will enjoy some riding on the beach. We take our lunch break around 1:30 pm and take some time to relax. We start riding again around 4pm and make our way to St Julien. There, once we have taken care of the horses, we are transferred (only about 10 minutes drive) back to the guesthouse, around 7pm, in time to relax before going out for dinner.
Riding approx. 6 hours (about 35 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 4 (Wednesday): St Julien to Lesperon
After breakfast (around 8am) we continue our ride. We will stop for lunch (around 1:30pm) in Levignacq. On today's ride we will discover the ever changing landscape of the Landes with wonderful ground for canters and gallops.
We get back in the saddle around 4 pm, riding along a river until we reach the Moulin de Caremonge. The horses will stay in a nearby field for the night and the riders will be transferred back to the guesthouse (arrival around 6:30 pm).
Riding approx. 5 hours (about 35 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 5 (Thursday): Lesperon to Orvignac
After a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast, we are transferred back to the horses (around 8:30 am). We will ride through beautiful and wild landscapes until we reach Mezos, where we stop for our lunch break in a small restaurant (around 1:30 pm).
In the afternoon, we will ride for a few more hours through varied landscapes. We will reach Bias after crossing a lovely forest. The horses spend the night in Orvignac while riders are transferred back to the guesthouse (only about 10 minutes drive).
Riding approx. 5 hours (about 35 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 6 (Friday): Orvignac to the Ocean
Today's riding schedule will depend on the tides. We will ride during half of the day (either in the morning or afternoon) and relax during the other half.
Our trail includes a ride through the forest leading to the Ocean. If the conditions are right we will enjoy some gallops on the beach. Weather permitting, from July to the end of August, we have the opportunity to swim and play in the Ocean with or without the horses.
Riding approx. 4 hours (about 20 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 7 (Saturday): Aureilhan Lake Ride
After breakfast, we prepare the horses on go for our last ride. We will discover the protected area surrounding Aureilhan Lake and ride along the river to Mimizan beach. We end our ride with a sunset ride in the forest or the beach.
Today's program is tide dependent.
Riding approx. 5 hours (about 30 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
After breakfast transfer to Bordeaux airport or train station.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non-Riding activities - inquire for extra cost
- Tennis
- Bicycle
- Swimming pool
- Numerous water sports 
- Yoga
- Wellness (sauna & massage)

                                            Mont-de-Marsan area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	11	13	16	18	22	25	28	28	25	20	14	11
Average Low Temperature (°F)	1	2	4	6	10	13	15	15	11	8	4	2
Average High Temperature (°C)	51	55	61	65	71	78	82	82	77	68	58	52
Average Low Temperature (°C)	34	35	39	42	49	55	59	58	52	47	40	36
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	11	9	9	10	10	7	6	6	6	9	10	10

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The Landes 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. You should be expecting cool nights, even in the summertime.

The best time to visit is between April and October, excluding the months of July and August which can get very crowded and hot. June is a very good time to visit, while September and October are also good months to visit. Winters tend to be wet and mild.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Comfortable riding jeans or jodphurs

Riding boots (short) + Minichaps

Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Lightweight Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Flashlight

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films and batteries

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sheets and towels are provided at the hotels and guesthouse. The riding center provides saddle bags.

All along the way during the trip, people can swim in the lake or in the river during lunch time. Please keep swimming clothes in your saddle bag!

**Luggage is transported to your accommodations day by day with our minibus which also follows the group to provide lunch**

Average ratings from 12 tour feedbacks (see details below) (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: Name Date amir orenstein 11/29/2012 candia baxter 9/10/2012 elena esteban muñoz 9/4/2011 rebecca sillett 9/28/2009 dennis palmieri 4/27/2008 aifric ni chianain 4/15/2008 dianne martin 4/13/2008 david roseman 8/26/2007 bic pho 7/25/2007 dennis buran 6/19/2007 wendy coren 6/1/2007 daniel rosenbaum 3/14/2007

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so you will be staying at the same location every night.

Description
You will be staying at the guesthouse beside the riding center. We can accommodate up to 17 people total.
Our guesthouse is divided into 3 buildings:
- the main guesthouse building has 6 rooms for single, double/twin, and a family suite. Each room has its own bathroom
- the guesthouse's annex building has a big dormitory (capacity of 4-7 people) and 2 shared bathrooms
- the family guesthouse has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom
The guesthouse has an outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi access. Laundry can be done for an extra fee.

It is possible to add yoga classes, a relaxing massage or a sauna session for an extra fee, paid locally (please inquire).

If we do not have enough space, riders will stay in a hotel in Mimizan Beach or at another guesthouse close to the riding center.



Room Occupancy
We charge a single supplement fee for solo travelers not willing to share a room with another rider.
If you would like to guarantee a double/ twin/ single room, additional costs apply.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8, except for lunch on Monday (Day 2).

Breakfast is served at the guesthouse before we head out on our rides.
Lunches are a real meal, with tables and chairs. We provide French aperitif and appetizers, Bordeaux red wine, soup or salad according to the weather, chicken or meat and veggies, French cheeses, dessert and coffee or tea.
Dinners are served either at the guesthouse or at local restaurants. We try to offer as much variety to guests as possible.

Only breakfast and dinner is included for non-riders (lunches can be purchased for ~ €28 each / option to pay for full board as well).

1/4 liter of wine or soda and coffee is provided during lunches and dinners. Other drinks need to be purchased locally directly by the client.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice. Unfortunately, we cannot cater to vegan diets.

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

Tack:		English saddle with saddle bag
Horses:		Anglo-Arab, Thoroughbred and Totters
Pace:		Moderate pace with lots of fast sections. Riding approx. 5 hours per day (30 to 40 km daily), or longer (6 to 8 hours) depending on group dynamics | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(4 to 5 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate+
Age:		Min 13	Max 81
Weight:		Max 210 lbs / 95 kg
Riders:		Min 4	Max 10

Riding Level
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. This ride is of moderate pace with frequent occasions of trots and gallops. To give more comfort, trotting or galloping is generally individually or by group of two, whether it is in forest or on the beach. Some group gallops on the beach are of course available.    
We are not riding nose to tail in order to give riders the opportunity to keep control of their own horse at the different paces.
This way of hacking also allows everyone to avoid the dust made by the riders at the front.
Our horses are used to be independent one from the others, and may stay walking when other horses are starting to trot or galloping in front of them! They stay under the control of the riders, and not under the group of horses.

Pace
During the 6 riding days of this trip, we cover between 30 and 35 km per day, spending between 5 and 6 hours in the saddle each day.

Horses 
We have 30 horses (mostly Anglo-Arabs) and 5 ponies. Most of them are born in our family farm.
Beauty, blood, intelligence, frankness, kindness, and generosity are the essential qualities we seek in the choice of our horses. Our horses are safe, brave and easygoing; well trained and very well-balanced. They horses live in herds in the outdoors. We take great care in providing horses with a good quality of life.

Staff
Guidance is guaranteed by qualified /certified equestrian guide of tourism (French professional certification: A.T.E., CQP ASA or BPJEPS Tourisme Équestre) having good regional knowledge and willing to let you discover the beauty of this area.

Children
Participants as young as 13 years old can join the ride as long as they are accompanied by an adult. From 16 years old, participants are welcome to join the ride non-accompanied. There are no discounts for children.

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