Natural Horsemanship & Trails Bordeaux France Join us in the heart of the Lot-en-Garonne to experience the multitude of horseback riding trails through the countryside as well as learn about or advance in your natural horsemanship skills. When in this history region, you will discover the bastides (fortified villages) of the Middle Ages, explore the diverse landscapes that are rich in culture and heritage, ride through the far, lands which produce hazelnuts, plums for Agen prunes, purple Perigord vineyards with wines from Monbazillac, Bergerac, Pecharmant, and villages gilled with traditional architecture (pigeon houses, farms, character houses). Non-riders, hikers, and mountain bikers will enjoy the many marked trails and surrounding activities such as golf, visits to historical sites and castles, and wine tastings. Family Vacation Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Center-based ride Meeting: Lougratte Airport: Bordeaux Mérignac Airport (BOD) Transfer: Bergerac Airport or Agen TGV Riders: Min 5 riders Max 10 riders (per riding group) Max Capacity 25 Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Free transfers from Villeneuve-sur-Lot train station. We can also arrange transfers from/to Bergerac train station for an extra fee.

Sample Itinerary- subject to changes

Changes due to weather, security, technical criteria, and other imponderables may occur.

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, 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. He/she will be able to continue with the logistic team. This decision will be made without any refund on the stay.

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.


Day 1: Arrival
Pick- up from the Villeneuve-sur-Lot train station in the afternoon and transfer to the guesthouse. Dinner at 8:00pm.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Farm's guesthouse

Day 2: Introductory Ride
After breakfast, guests will have the opportunity to observe the herd of horses in their natural environment of grass meadows. Then guests will be matched with a horse and have time to get to know each other with groundwork. Lunch is served on site at the equestrian farm. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a 2-hour outing on your horse around the farm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farm's guesthouse

Day 3: Ride to Monflanquin
In the morning, we head towards the village of Monflanquin. It is a picturesque 13th century bastide, perched on its 'pech', located in a hilly region between Agenais, Perigord, and Quercy. This village is compared by Stendhal to 'a small Tuscany.' This medieval village is classified among the most beautiful in France. We have lunch in the village. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to the bastide and learn its ancient history as told by a storyteller.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farm's guesthouse

Day 4: Ride back to the Farm
Today we meet the horses in Monflanquin and ride back to the farm through this varied and hilly landscape of the Lot-et-Garome. There are many opportunities for long gallops along these trails. We have lunch at the cottages. In the afternoon, we continue our introduction to the behavioral approach with the horse: observation, complicity, and trust.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farm's guesthouse

Day 5: Ride around the Farm
This day is devoted entirely to horseback riding through the many paths that surround the equestrian farm, including the GR 654 on the road to Santiafo de Compostela. We discover the traditional architecture of the Haut Agenais Perigord: dovecotes, farms, the unique character of houses such as the 16th century stacking house in Bournel, or the 13th and 18th century priory of the Mesnil Saint Martin. It was restored in 1980 by a religious community. Today, it is a private residence. Picnic in the countryside.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farm's guesthouse

Day 6: Sightseeing
To reach our lunch appointment, we travel by minibus, leaving the Lot-et-Garonne to reach the Dordogne and its vineyards: Bergerac, Pecharmant, Monbazillac. We discover the landsxape of the Perigord Pourpre, which owes its name to the red color of the vine leaves in autumn. The castle of Monbazillac welcomes us with a picnic followed by a wine tasting and a tour of the castle. In the afternoon, we visit the city of Bergerac, the wine museum, and the boat house. Transfer to the cottages in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farm's guesthouse

Day 7: Ride to Cancon
We continue our discovery of the landscapes around the Farm. We ride to Cancon, a 13th century military village, the hazelnut capital of France today. Lunch at Cancon Lake. In the afternoon, we take the shaded paths back to the farm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farm's guesthouse

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, departure or transfer to Villeneuve-sur-Lot or Bergerac train station.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.

                                                    Bordeaux area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	50	53	59	63	70	76	80	80	75	67	57	51
Average Low Temperature (°F)	37	38	41	45	51	56	60	59	55	50	42	38
Average High Temperature (°C)	10	12	15	17	21	24	27	27	24	19	14	11
Average Low Temperature (°C)	3	3	5	7	10	14	15	15	13	10	6	3
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	12	10	10	10	10	8	6	7	8	10	12	11

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Bordeaux, within Frances’s famed Aquitaine wine region, is located on the bend of the Garonne River in the south west of France. It enjoys a mild climate which is ideal for wine growing, making the region one of the world’s top wine producing areas. The average temperature range in the area sits at around 13 to 25 degrees Celsius, with July being the hottest month. The evenings are cooled by a pleasing Atlantic wind which leaves the area enjoying delightful cool summer nights. Due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the area is protected from temperature extremes.

Spring
The months from March until May bring balmy temperatures. However, it is not unusual for weather conditions to relapse back to winter and as a result there are occasional cold snaps interspersed with drizzles of rain.

Autumn
Weather in Autumn is similar to Spring (minus the blossoming flowers!) however the majority of the wineries close their doors in October whilst grape harvest takes place, so keep that in mind if you want to take in what Bordeaux’s wine region has to offer.

Summer
Summer in Bordeaux is glorious, clear blue skies and sunny days are made all the more enjoyable when taking the atmosphere with a glass of the regions finest red wine.

Winter
Winters in Bordeaux are short and not too cold but have a tendency to feel quite ‘damp’. November through to January is when the region receives its greatest rainfall.

 
This list is only a guideline for you:

Hidden Trails Travel Documents and Trip Voucher (contains important local tour contact info.)
Flight tickets
Passport
Visa (check with your consulate)

Riding Gear
Riding pants or Jodhpurs
Riding boots (short) + Minichaps
Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)
Riding gloves
Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection
Lightweight Rain coat
A riding helmet is not provided by us, but it is recommended for adults and mandatory for minors during the horse ride.

Personal Clothing
Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
Jeans
Shorts
Underwear and socks
Pajamas
Bag for dirty clothes
Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes
Swimsuit

Additional Things To Bring
Personal Toiletries
Insect protection - mosquitos may be around in the evenings and early mornings.
Personal medications
Sore cream (for an emergency)
Sewing kit
Torch/ Flashlight
Adapter for electric appliances
Camera and extra film or batteries
Belt pack
Address book and pen (for postcards!)
Sun glasses with strap
Sun protection lotion and lip balm

** No trip reports found with the tour ID you provided.

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights will be at the same location.

Description
We welcome you in the heart of the Bastides and gastronomy of the southwest in the Lot-et-Garonne in the town of Lougratte. Situated near the castles of Perigord, between the valleys of the Lot and Dordogne, our location offers wondrous sights and many activities. Walks in the forest, vineyards, and visits to castles and prehistoric sites are amongst some of the possibilities.
Our pool onsite will be a great way to cool off after a ride!



We have 3 cottages available all year:

Fakir (holds up to 6 people)
    - 3 rooms and 2 baths
    - living room with TV, WIFI, DVD player
    - a fully equipped kitchen opening onto a terrace overlooking the park and the pool 
    - Internet
    - cleaning and linen included 10 minutes from shops

MacLéo (holds up to 8 people)
    - 4 rooms and 4 baths
    - living room with TV, WiFi, DVD player
    - a fully equipped kitchen opening onto a terrace overlooking the park and the pool 6 x 12 m
    - Internet
    - cleaning and linen included

Loukia (holds up to 11 people)
    - 5 rooms and 3 baths
    - living room with TV, WIFI, DVD player
    - a fully equipped kitchen opening onto a terrace overlooking the park and the pool 
    - Internet
    - cleaning and linen included

Room Occupancy
Possibility of single room but with supplement. 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 from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.

Continental breakfasts are served at the accommodation.
The lunches are buffets with a wide choice (adapted to particular diets) & wine.
Dinner in the restaurant (wine not included for dinner).

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

Tack:		Trail saddles custom-made for each horse and "Myler" bridle
Horses:		Pure- or cross-bred Paint, Arabian, or Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods
Pace:		Riders should be at ease at 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter/gallop in a forward seat), on varied terrain. Can gallop several minutes. We ride moderate to fast paced around 5-6 hours riding each day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3.5 to 4 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate
Age:		Min 12
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 5 riders	Max 10 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 25

Riding Ability
This ride is for the experienced rider who has mastered all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter/gallop in a forward seat) on a varied terrain, in open spaces. The experienced rider rides regularly, has good physical fitness, has good soft hands, a good attitude, and self-confidence. You should be able to control the speed and direction of the horse in all circumstances and be able to ride long distances including gallops of several minutes in open terrain.
There are certain sections of the trail where we might 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.
Riders who, on their own initiative, ask not to ride during the stay will be charged 300 euros for the transport of the horse.

Pace
The pace is varied depending on the terrain, with long periods of walk and plenty of opportunities to canter and gallop. We ride around 5-6 hours riding each day

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 & Equipment
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.
Saddlebags, poncho, and water are provided. Helmets are not mandatory but are strongly recommended.

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.

Facilities
The Farm covers 30 hectares (75 acres) of woods and meadows and facilities include a covered riding arena, rolling pastures, a round pen, cross country terrain, as well as a multitude of riding and hiking trails.

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.