Lozère Ride

Introduction
Auvergne France
Ride through the wonderful Unesco World Heritage Site of the Cévennes. 

We go from Lozère to Gard, following the footsteps of the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. You will also ride the famous Lozériaux cattle paths, still used by the shepherds and their ewes during their transhumance, but also part of the mythical endurance Equestrian event of the 160km of Florac!
During this extraordinary fast riding tour through the spectacular mountain scenery of the Cévennes you will discover several famous sights such as Mont Lozère, Mont Aigoual, the gorges of Tarn and Jonte, the Causses Mejean and Sauveterre. Your guide will be able to tell you a lot about the flora and fauna and his trained endurance horses.
This is one of Europe's most active rides with long distances covered every day at a fast pace! To accompany you on this journey, you will ride fit Anglo-Arabs that are also actively involved in endurance competitions.

The diversity and desertification of this territory means that accommodations are rare and very different from one another. We will stay in small hotels, lodges or bed and breakfast where we take sleep and eat comfortably.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so you will be staying in different locations during the trip.

Description
You stay in beautiful, traditional and typical French hotels and guesthouses. The accommodations are located close to nature and often a little smaller. Some are more basic, which does not detract from their charm.

Special Accommodation Itinerary in 2023 - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Campground in Florac
Night 2: Gite in Barre des Cevennes
Night 3: Hotel in L'Esperou
Night 4: Guesthouse in Aiguebonne
Night 5: Guesthouse in Mas Saint Chely
Night 6: Hotel in Ispagnac

Campground in Florac
You sleep in modern bungalows that can accommodate up to 6 people each. Every bungalow has one bathroom to share between the different bedrooms.

Gite in Barre des Cevennes
This old but comfortable house offers 7 bedrooms that can accommodate 2 to 6 people each. Each shared room has a bathroom. There is Wi-Fi access available.

Guesthouse in Aiguebonne
The small hamlet of Aiguebonne can accommodate up to 30-40 people divided between different accommodations: a Guest House, 3 Gîtes, a Yurt and more. Riders are usually accommodated in the guesthouse or stopover gite, which offer simple but comfortable rooms with internet access.
The guest house has 3 bedrooms on the ground floor, sharing one bathroom and 2 additional bedrooms upstairs with private bathrooms.
The stopover gite is a small mountain refuge with a 10-bed dormitory and a shared bathroom.

Guesthouse in Mas Saint Chely
This charming stonehouse offers 5 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The rooms are simple but comfortable and all feature free Wi-Fi access.

Hotel in Ispagnac
You will be warmly welcomed in this small family hotel in the heart of the village of Ispagnac. Each of the 10 rooms features a comfortable bed, a TV, ensuite bathroom and free Wi-Fi access.


Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel at Mont Lozere
Night 2: Hotel near Florac
Night 3: Gite near Mont Aigoual
Night 4: Guesthouse in Aiguebonne
Night 5: Auberge in Nivoliers
Night 6: Hotel in Ispagnac

Hôtel at Mont Lozere
This hotel offers you a magnificent view of Mont Lozère. Located at an altitude of 1421 m it is set in a quiet environment and is surrounded by nature. There are 7 very comfortable rooms, all featuring a private bathroom and a television. One room is accessible for people with reduced mobility
The restaurant will seduce you with its traditional and regional cuisine, served in a pleasant dining room with central fireplace.

Hotel near Florac
Located only 200 meters away from the famous Chemin de R.L. Stevenson, this country hotel offers 24 spacious rooms, all with private facilities, a television, a phone and free WIFI access.
There is also a garden with some chairs where guest can relax.

Gite near Mont Aigoual
Former forest house completely rehabilitated in 2002, this mountain cottage (located at 1085m above sea level) offers comfortable accommodation for up to 46 people in several dormitories of 4,6,8 and 9 beds. Showers and toilets are shared and particular attention is paid to water resources and the consumption of electricity, in order to limit ecological impact. Please, note that due to its remote location, there is no cellphone service here.

Guesthouse in Aiguebonne
The small hamlet of Aiguebonne can accommodate up to 30-40 people divided between different accommodations: a Guest House, 3 Gîtes, a Yurt and more. Riders are usually accommodated in the guesthouse or stopover gite, which offer simple but comfortable rooms with internet access.
The guest house has 3 bedrooms on the ground floor, sharing one bathroom and 2 additional bedrooms upstairs with private bathrooms.
The stopover gite is a small mountain refuge with a 10-bed dormitory and a shared bathroom.

Auberge in Nivoliers
With its traditional limestone architecture, this old Caussenard farmhouse rehabilitated in an Auberge welcomes you in the heart of the Causse Méjean. 
The rooms have all been renovated according to the Caussennarde architecture (featuring stone vaults) and they share facilities. There is free Wi-Fi access at the property.
Here, you can taste the traditional culinary specialties or typically Caussenarde cuisine based on local products (cold cuts, lambs, mushrooms, sheep's and goat's cheese).

Hotel in Ispagnac
You will be warmly welcomed in this small family hotel in the heart of the village of Ispagnac. Each of the 10 rooms features a comfortable bed, a TV, ensuite bathroom and free Wi-Fi access.

Room Occupancy
Single rooms are available based on availability but a single supplement fee applies. The single supplement fee does not apply if we cannot find another rider to share a room with you.


Meals
All meals are included with this trip from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on the last day.
Evening meals and breakfasts will be taken at the hotel. Lunch will be generous, inspired by traditional country cooking, warm or cold according to the weather. 
At noon, it is always a pleasure to see from far away a well-dressed table, in the middle of a field, waiting for us.

Alcoholic beverages are not included with this trip but you can purchase your own at the local restaurants.

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

Riding


Horses
We know that the key to a horse trip is the horses.  That is why we have chosen and breed our own. They are all born in the Morvan region and they have lived all their life in the same region.  They are calm, well in their heads but when need be or when requested, they are fast and generous.  They are capable of anything, they will surprise you and they will allow you to experience a unique riding trip.

Pace
We will cover about 30 to 40 mile journeys every day with long and frequent canters and, at times, abrupt downhill sections.

Riding Experience
Riders need to be confident and in control at all paces on varied terrains. You also need to be physically fit, as this is a demanding ride.
You should have ridden regularly for more than 5 years and also feel comfortable trotting and galloping for a long time.

Itinerary


Sample itinerary for 2023 - subject to changes

The first accommodation usually used on this tour is closed in 2023 so we slightly altered the program for this year.

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
First meeting around 6pm at the reception of the Val des Cevennes campground in Florac. You will sleep in bungalows.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at a Campground in Florac

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Barre des Cevennes
After breakfast, we ride through Florac before following the Tarnon and Mimente rivers. We follow a former railway converted into a trail up to the village of Cassagnas, where we stop for lunch.
In the afternoon, we ride up the Col des Loupies and the Plan de Fontmort, a steep trail but with good terrain. After crossing the forest of Fontmort, we reach our accommodation in Barre des Cevennes.
Riding approx. 40 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Gite in Barre des Cevennes

Day 3 (Tuesday): Barre des Cevennes to L'Esperou
As soon as we ride out of the village, we follow the plateau of Can de L'Hospitalet and ride above the Marquaires tunnel before reaching the Col de Salides, where we stop for lunch. After our break, we climb the Aigoual mountain (1565 m). We then quickly descend to the Prat Peyrot ski station before reaching L'Esperou, where we spend the night.
Riding approx. 45 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in L'Esperou

Day 4 (Wednesday): L'Esperou to Aiguebonne
This morning, we ride to Camprieu and Abime de Brambiau, passing through the Happiness valley via the Croix de Fer pass. In the afternoon, we pay a short visit to the Abime de Brambiau, before heading down to the village of Aiguebonne. On our way, we pass through the lovely village of Saint Sauveur.
Riding approx. 30 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Aiguebonne

Day 5 (Thursday): Aiguebonne to Mas Saint Chely
Today starts with a challenge: a 14 km long canter track that you can gallop through up to the village of Meyrueis. The horses are well trained and master this route easily. Here, we enjoy our picnic lunch.
Once back in the saddle, we pass by the beautiful castle of Roquedols. We then ride through the Jonte gorges in order to reach Causse Mejean.
In the evening, we spend the night in Mas Saint Chely, in a guesthouse.
Riding approx. 45 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in a Guesthouse in Mas Saint Chely

Day 6 (Friday): Mas Saint Chely to Ispagnac
Today, we ride through Causse mejean, enjoying lovely gallops on this flat terrain. We take our lunch above the Tarn valley before riding down to Ispagnac.
Riding approx. 35 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in a Guesthouse or Hotel in Ispagnac

Day 7 (Saturday): Last Ride & Departure
Your last riding day will take you back to Florac, passing through the Montmirat pass. A beautiful ride!
Riding approx. 36 km.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch



Sample itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Arrival to Mont Lozere. First meeting at your hotel in Mont Lozere.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Mont Lozere

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Florac
After breakfast, you mount up through the mountain landscape to the summit of Lozère. You will ride higher and higher, until you reach the highest peak of De Finiels at about 1.700 m. From here, you have a wonderful view over the Cévennes. After lunch, you will ride down to the Tarn gorge, sometimes over steeper bottlenecks. In the evening, you stay in a nice French hotel, where you will be spoiled with a dinner.
Riding approx. 45 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel near Florac

Day 3 (Tuesday): Florac to Aire de Cote
Your riding day starts in Florac. This town, located in the southern central massif of the Cévennes, forms the starting point of a 40 km long and deeply cut gorge system. The rivers Tarn and Tarnon unite here and flow through the gorge: a spectacular sight!
You will ride through Florac and past the village of Barre de Cévennes, under a hilltop. Today you cross many famous mountain passes, including the Col de Salidés, the Can du Hospitalet and finally ride on the second highest mountain with a height of 1,600 m, the Aigoual. Throughout the riding day, you will always have beautiful views of mountain meadows and rocky mountain passes. From the top of Can de l'Hospitalet, it is said we can see up to a third of France's territory...a sight not to be missed!
Today's lunch break is taken at the Col des Faisses, where you get a unique view over the valley.
Riding approx. 55 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Gite near Mount Aigoual

Day 4 (Wednesday): Aire de Cote to Aiguebonne
You ride over the summit of the Aigoual. Finally you reach the karst cave Bramabiau, which you visit. The passageway, which is crossed by a river, has a natural entrance and exit, so you can walk on rocky paths through the cave. At the end of the cave, you will be amazed by a new mountain panorama. This place is perfect for your lunch. The descent takes you through the forest paths of the arboretum of the Cévennes, where you can expect some beautiful gallop routes.
Overnight in a very nice guesthouse with regional and traditional French cuisine.
Riding approx. 40 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Aiguebonne

Day 5 (Thursday): Aiguebonneto Nivoliers
Today starts with a challenge: a 14 km long canter track that you can gallop through. The horses are well trained and master this route easily. Then, the route goes through small paths across the gorge of Gorges de la Jonte. With a depth of about 500 m and its wild and romantic untouched nature, it is as impressive as the well-known Tarn Gorge. You then continue riding through the Cévennes National Park across the lime plateau Causse-Méjean. At noon, take a break in the pretty little town of Meyruies. Afterwards, we will enjoy several gallops in a landscape that reminds us a bit of Ireland: green meadows, small stone walls and plenty of space.
Riding approx. 45-50 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in a Guesthouse in Nivoliers

Day 6 (Friday): Nivoliers to Ispagnac
After a French breakfast, you ride again over the plateau Causse-Méjean. On the way, you pass the castle ruin of Castelbouc, which hovers above the homonymous mountain village. Beautiful riding trails on which you can gallop optimally, ride past picturesque scenery and pass the Tarn Gorge. At noon you will have lunch at an idyllic place, which offers a magnificent view over the gorge of Tarn that we just passed.
Riding approx. 45 km.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in a Guesthouse or Hotel in Ispagnac

Day 7 (Saturday): Last Ride & Departure
Your last riding day will take you over the Lozère mountain and afterwards you will ride up the Col de Montmirat. Continue on the Causse de Sauveterre lime plateau (up to 1,200 m high). At noon, you enjoy a picnic on the mountain pass of the Col de Montmirat and admire the magnificent panorama again. After the break, we go on a last brisk gallop over mountain pastures back to where we started the ride (expected arrival around 5:00 pm). Individual departure or, if you prefer, you can book an extra night there and leave the next day after breakfast (extra cost - please inquire).
Riding approx. 42 km.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Lozère Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Mende
Airport: Montpellier or Lyon
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                      Mende area

Source: NOAA