Champagne Vineyards Ride

Introduction
Champagne France
We offer an exciting trail on horseback to explore the Champagne region and its variety of vineyards. Our trail will take you around the « Montagne de Reims » – a wooded plateau whose slopes are the so-called "Pinot Noir kingdom" (a famous grape variety) . We will also ride along the Marne Valley – where the Pinot Noir grape grows side by side with the Meunier variety. We will discover the « Côte des Blancs » too. Some of the most famous Champagne wines, named "Blanc des Blancs" are produced there using the Chardonnay grape. The Champagne region belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, thanks to its breathtaking setting of the « king of wines ». With its sparkling name, the region is a promise of vineyards, slopes, cantering, prestigious cellars and beautiful landscapes!
Famous properties are the heirs of a unique, festive art of living. Champagne region is an historical region and the cathedral of Reims was witness to several French king’s crownings.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights are spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodation is in B&B or hotels. Double or Twin room, possibility of single but with supplement.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Hotel near Reims
Night 3: B&B in Bouzy
Night 4, 5 & 6: Hotel in Epernay
Night 7: Hotel near Reims

Hotel near Reims
Located near the train station, this modern hotel offers comfortable rooms, all equipped with free Wi-Fi, TV and private bathroom.

B&B in Bouzy
You are accommodated in a late 19th century house with 5 bedrooms. Each room has its own decor and private facilities. There is Wi-Fi available at this property.

Hotel in Epernay
This small hotel offers 29 bedrooms featuring a modern decor, air conditioning, a TV, a safe, free internet access, a phone and an ensuite bathroom.


Room Occupancy
We try our best to match you with a roommate, but if this is not possible you may be placed in single room with a supplement to be paid.



Meals
All meals are included.

Continental breakfasts served at your accommodation.
The lunches are buffets with a wide choice (adapted to particular diets) with wine.
Dinner in the bed and breakfast, restaurant or hotel (wine not included for dinner, and other extras).

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Ability
This ride is open to riders who are comfortable and in control at all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter and gallop in a forward seat) on varied terrain, in open spaces and practice a regular habit of riding. There are certain sections of the trail where we need to lead the horses. It is recommended that you be in good physical condition in order to participate. Previous experience of trail rides over a number of days would be beneficial but is not required.

Pace
The pace is varied depending on the terrain, with long periods of walk and plenty of opportunities to canter and gallop.

Horses
Most of our horses were born on the farm. They live in herds in a 70 acre field and this is what makes them strong. This social lifestyle is very close to their ideal living conditions, which is a natural environment.
Every horse has its own character, but all are gentle, balanced, and multi-talented.
The horses are a mixture of purebred Arabian and Paint horses as well as Arabian/Paint crossbreds and Thoroughbreds.
The relationship with the riders and our horses is crucial. Above all, we place attention on the welfare and education of our horses.

Tack
Our saddles are a French trail saddle (JMS brands), which blend the best of English and western styles to make the perfect trail saddle. Horses will work in bridles with Myler bits. Helmets are not mandatory but are strongly recommended.
Our team will take care of tacking up the horses during this ride.

Logistics
There is a support van for the transport of luggage and riders. It is possible for a rider or a non-riding companion to follow along the horse riders in the van.
We ask the riders to have only one suitcase (size 69x47x27) and one handbag.

Group Size & Staff
Riding groups have a minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 riders, plus the Guide and the Translator.
David (GTE/ BPJEPS TE) is a certified Equestrian Tour Guide. He creates the routes and leads all the riding tours. He is also a trainer of apprentice instructors in Equestrian Tourism.
Britta is your riding companion and translator (English, Dutch, German, and Spanish). She is always available to facilitate any language concerns.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

The itinerary may be modified at any time for security reasons, meteorological or other events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes, and local holidays. We will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.

Important note: The specific level required is the "confirmed rider level".
As a qualified professional of equestrian tourism in France, it is important for the safety of the groups of riders we receive that everyone has the required riding level (see description below).
A person, who doesn't have the required level, causes difficulties for the staff and other participants, with consequences on the good progress of the stay for everyone.
Therefore, we will test riders on horseback on the 1st day before departure on the trail.
If from the first day we judge that a rider doesn't have the required level for horseback riding, he/she will not continue on horseback. They will continue their stay with the logistics team. They will be able to make all the scheduled visits, and eat with the riders for lunch and dinner.
This decision will be made without any refund on the stay.
If, due to poor physical condition, riders ask to stop riding, they are still liable for the 300 euros we charge for transporting the horse.

Our rides are for the experienced rider who has mastered all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter/gallop in a forward seat) on varied terrains and in open spaces. The experienced rider rides regularly, has good physical fitness, has good soft hands, a good attitude, and self-confidence. He controls the speed and direction of the horse in all circumstances. He can ride long distances including gallops of several minutes in open terrain.
Participants need to have experience riding on English-style saddles.  They need to know how to ride in balance: two point position.


Day 1: Arrival
Riders with vehicles may arrive in the late afternoon to the first night accommodation. Riders arriving by train will be collected in the late afternoon (around 6:30 pm) at the TGV train station of Champagne-Ardenne.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel near Reims

Day 2: Morning Ride Ride & Reims Visit
Breakfast at 8:00 AM. We will begin the trail ride at 10:00 AM with a beautiful perspective over the vineyards, riding through the forest of Sermiers, also called « La forêt du Chêne à la Vierge » (it means the woods of Virgin Mary’s oak). Its name comes from a medieval legend: as loggers would have found a figurine of the Virgin Mary in the heart of a tree… Every year, on the third sunday of September, a pilgrimage celebrates this miracle. Returns to the guesthouse for lunch.
In the afternoon, we will visit the city of Reims, also known as « the city of coronations » or « the city of the kings ». On December 25th, 496, the first French christian king, Clovis was baptized by Bishop Saint Rémi on the location where the Notre-Dame of Reims cathedral would later be built and all further French kings were baptized in the same cathedral.
As for Champagne wines, they date back to the 17th century and have been one of the main pillars on the local economy for a long time now.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel near Reims

Day 3: Chamery to Bouzy
In the morning, relaxing canters will lead us through the woods to the heart of the Verzy forest, called « Les Faux de Verzy ». We will enjoy our picnic there. A « Fau de Verzy » is a Dwarf Beech. « Fau » designated « beech » in Old French. Les Faux de Verzy is the world’s largest concentration of dwarf beeches standing with about 1000 trees. In the afternoon, we will ride south to Trepail, a typical wine village of the Champagne region, where the white grape called Chardonnay grows.
We will have dinner and spend the night in the village of Bouzy.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Bouzy

Day 4: Bouzy to Epernay
After breakfast, we will ride through the vineyards to the village of Mutigny, offering a panoramic view on on the Marne Valley, the « Côte des Noirs » - name given to the vineyards which are located on the southeast side of the « Montagne de Reims » - and the « Côte des Blancs » - the vineyards which are located south of Epernay.
We will enjoy our picnic in Hautvillers. This village is the birthplace of the Champagne wines. The monk Dom Pérignon created the method which gave the Champagne its spurs. We will head downwards through the vineyards and we will cross the Marne river at the village of Cumières, inviting us for a nice canter along the river.
We will have dinner and spend the night in the town of Epernay.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Epernay

Day 5: Morning Ride & Epernay Visit
Today, we ride through forests and vineyards, enjoying a panoramic view on Epernay. We will enter the « Blancs de Blancs » vineyards, after a picnic in the village of Cramant, where we will enjoy some wine tasting.
In the afternoon, we will visit Epernay. This town, surrounded by vineyards, is the heart of the Champagne economy and the starting point of several scenic roads. Epernay is also the epicenter of Champagne, with every famous Champagne brand having their headquarters there. Most of them are located on the famous Champagne Avenue and 110 km of cellars run under our feet. We will be able to admire the eclectic architecture of most buildings, dating back from the 19th century.
We will have dinner and spend the night in the town of Epernay.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Epernay

Day 6: Epernay to Montigny
We will leave Cramant for the Mountain of Avize and its chalk cliffs, arriving in the Darcy valley, where we will have a beautiful view on the village of Monthelon. Crossing Epernay forest, we will be returning in the Marne Valley. After our picnic lunch, we will cross the Marne river at the village of Damery and continue riding through the vineyard slopes. We will have amazing views on the valley, leaving our horses overnight in the village of Montigny.
We will have dinner and spend the night in Epernay.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Epernay

Day 7: Chatillon sur Marne Ride
This morning, we will continue our trail through the vineyard slopes. We will have a magnificent view on the village of Chatillon sur Marne, at the top of which, there is a gigantic statue of Pope Urban II (33m high), otherwise known as Odo of Chatillon, supervising the Champagne vineyards. We will picnic at the Natural Regional Parc House of the Reims Mountain, located in Pourcy, then returning through the forest to our overnight stay.
We will have dinner and spend the night near Reims.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel near Reims

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Champagne-Ardenne TGV station, depending on train schedule.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Champagne Vineyards Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: La Neuville aux Larris
Airport: Paris CDG airport
Transfer: Champagne-Ardenne TGV train station

Climate:
                                            Reims area