CASTLES OF THE LOIRE VALLEY
OVERVIEW
This journey across the Loire landscapes and its forest areas is a leap into the history of the Middle Ages - mostly the Renaissance.
At the time, the royal house of Valois-Orléans-Angouleme had enough power and means to build beautiful castles instead of fortresses.
The Loire Valley offers a mild climate, fertile soils and biodiversity as well as monasteries, cathedrals, and of course, castles.
Let’s Ride!
HIGHLIGHTS
Magnificent riding from castle to castle
Incredible French picnic lunches at pretty table clothed tables under trees
Fast riding through the royal hunting forests
Comfortable boutique village hotels
Swimming pools at some hotels
Tour the beautiful castles and gardens
OVERVIEW
RIDE GUIDE
6 Nights / 7 Days
Cost: From €1,890pp sharing, Single person supplement: €330.
Operator: Equinature
Where: Loire Valley, France. Meeting point is Blois / Chambord railway station or the hotel in Maslives.
When: 02 - 08 June 2024
Riding level: Advanced, you must be able to control your horse cantering and galloping in open spaces in english saddles.
Riders: Maximum 10 riders in a private group, max group is usually 8
Weight limit: Maximum of 90kg / 198 pounds
Time in the saddle: 3 - 4.5 hours a day
HORSES
You will ride Franches Montagnes and Franches Montagnes crosses. They are educated using natural horsemanship, sure and sturdy, respectful and healthy in mind and spirit.
Tack: Trail and English saddles, saddle pads with built-in saddle bags.
Helmets are mandatory. Please bring your own.
ACCOMMODATION
You will stay in three lovely 3 and 4 star hotels in the Loire Valley. Each has a swimming pool or spa.
NIGHTS ONE + TWO
NIGHTS THREE + SIX
NIGHTS FOUR + FIVE
Single supplements are available for €330pp for all six nights.
If you are travelling alone and there is no one to share with the single supplement will apply.
GET IN TOUCH
Fill in an obligation free rider form by clicking “book now” and we will be in touch!
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Shared accommodation, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), wine with lunch when picnicing, water bottles, guides, horses & tack including saddle bags and water for each ride.
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
The price does not include international flights, transfers, wine / alcohol with dinner or at lunch if taken at a restraurant, travel insurance, entrance fees to castles, tips.
Please keep in mind that it is customary to tip in France at restaurants and cafes so allow some budget towards this. Tipping your guides is recommended but not an obligation.
Castles and chateaux’s all have local fees for entry - please allow approximately €100 for multiple castle entry fees on this ride.
TRANSFERS
Transfers can be arranged for 45€ from Blois-Chambord station to La Clef des Chateaux.
WHAT TO PACK
Refer to our FAQ for what to pack on a horse riding holiday.
The luggage is transported in the support vehicle and transferred to each accommodation so you only need to carry daily essentials in your saddle bags. Nevertheless we recommend you pack minimally in a light duffle bag.
April-June 15-25°C sunny, occasionally raining. July-Aug generally 30-40°C sunny and hot but heavy rain can happen too. Sept-Nov 15-25°C chilly in the morning but quite hot in the afternoon, occasionally raining. A good rain jacket is recommended.
Your guides will provide you with saddle bags and water bottles. Helmets are mandatory for this ride - your guides can provide them but it is recommended to bring your own to ensure a comfortable fit.
MEALS
Continental breakfasts are served at your hotel each morning typically consisting of a hot drink (tea, coffee, hot chocolate), juice, breakfast pastries (croissant, pain au chocolat, pain aux raisins), bread, butter and jam, and sometimes yogurt.
Lunches are cold homemade picnics prepared by our caterer. You will be served mixed salads, local cold meats, savoury tarts and breads, traditional goats cheese, and deserts. Lunch may be taken in a local restaurant depending on logistics.
Three-course diners are provided by hotels or restaurants.
Please, notice on this trail that drinks are not included and have to be ordered on-site.
INTERNET
Wifi will be available at overnight accommodation.
AVAILABILITY & PRICES
€1,890 per person based on 2 sharing accommodation for 8 days / 7 nights. Single person supplement: €330.
02 - 08 June 2024 Black Saddle Exclusive (fully booked)
Fill in an obligation free Rider Form to book and we will get back to you with more information.
The Loire Valley
The currency in France is the euro. Cards are readily taken everywhere.
Time Zone: GMT+1
The climate in the Loire Valley in France in August is generally warm and pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 26°C (59°F to 79°F). The region experiences a maritime climate, which means that it is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and can experience some rainfall throughout the month.
August is typically one of the driest months of the year, with only a few rainy days though you should still bring a lightweight raincoat just in case. The region enjoys long days, with around 10 hours of sunshine per day, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities and exploring the picturesque towns and villages of the Loire Valley.
YOUR ITINERARY
Please note that itineraries are subject to weather and your guide may change the itinerary if needs must with your safety in mind.
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Your tour begins at Hotel La Clef des chateaux*** in the village of Maslives. Aim to arrive by 6:30pm. Those arriving early can check in and enjoy the hotel pool
Enjoy an aperitif with your guide and fellow riders followed by the first dinner and a ride briefing.
The nearest train station in Blois / Chambord. Transfers can be arranged for €40 per car.
No Riding Today
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First day with horses across the Sologne region with many lakes and beautiful forests. This first morning leads you on the riding paths of Chambord National Park toward the castle, where you enjoy lunch.
Chambord, a grand hunting lodge built by François 1st in the XVIth century, is a jewel of France and a heritage building.
You are free to explore (1h30), before mounting your horse and continuing to ride to Chateau du Villesavin where the horses will spend the night.
Overnight at Hotel La Clef des chateaux
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Departing Villesavin you ride to Beauregard, a XVth century castle for lunch. Beauregard houses a famous gallery with 327 different portraits of historical characters and a quirky gallery of pet portraits. The interiors are stunning and include Lapis Lazuli painted walls.
After exploring the castle and grounds for an hour you ride on out of the Sologne region and enter Touraine and the village of Ouchamps.
Dinner and overnight at Relais des Landes**** (swimming pool)
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You ride along the Loire to Chaumont-sur-Loire. A charming village and UNESCO World Heritage site, Chaumont is also well-known for its feudal castle (late 15th cent) overlooking the valley and the village. Not to be missed, its stables built in the 19th cent, are considered as the most luxurious in Europe at the time.
Lunch is followed by a self tour of the castle with it’s famous gardens (1h 30), where you can admire the beautiful stables and and circlular riding arena.
You ride during the afternoon continues along the Loire banks to reach Mosnes.
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You start day five by visiting the Clos Lucé. This gorgeous Renaissance mansion has been the last home of the renaissance man Leonardo Da Vinci and it houses his inventions museum.
After the visit, you rejoin your horses to leave the Loire banks about 11:00 toward south, enjoying your lunch in beautiful Amboise forest followed by your afternoon ride to reach another Loire Valley river spanned by maybe one of our favourite castles - Chenonceau.
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Day 6 starts with visiting as you like Chenonceau castle and gardens (1h). Known as ‘The Ladies castle, Chenonceau former property of Diane de Poitiers or Catherine De Medicis, was built on a bridge spanning the River Cher. This is one of the most impressive of all the Chateaux found in the Loire Valley.
After visiting, you join the horses for lunch in the beautiful Montrichard forest and then go bak on saddle for a big "back-to-nature afternoon ». Along the "GR du Pays des Chateaux" in the middle of hudge forests in Touraine, you will enjoy some long cantering on this day!
Arriving in Ouchamps at the end of the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight in Relais des Landes**** (swimming pool)
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For your last day, you leave the Touraine to enter back in Sologne and finally discover Cheverny castle - the mansion on which Hergé modeled Captain Haddock’s country house, Marlinspike Hall.
You are free to tour the castle for an hour and then it’s time to ride back home through game breeding parks where you could be fortunate to sight deer or wild boars.
You will arrive at the stable for 6:00 PM. There is time to share a final drink before bidding adieu around 7pm.
ACCOMMODATION
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.
Hotel La Clef des chateaux***
NIGHTS ONE + TWO
HOTEL LA CLEF DES CHATEAU: Located in the village of Maslives, this hotel is just 1.6 km from Château de Chambord. It features a garden terrace and free Wi-Fi at reception. All rooms have a flat-screen satellite TV with Canal +.
All rooms are air-conditioned and simply decorated.
You can enjoy French cuisine in the restaurant and have a drink in the bar at La Clef des Châteaux hotel. A buffet breakfast is served every morning.
Relais des Landes****
NIGHTS THREE + SIX
RELAIS DES LANDES: Le Relais des Landes has gone through 3 centuries of history, it has successively been a Bourgeois Manoir, a Republican and resistance movement place, and a well-known vineyard until the end of the 19th century before being transformed into a charming hotel and gastronomic restaurant.
Domaine des Thomeaux***
NIGHTS FOUR + FIVE
DOMAINE DES THOMEAUX: Your personalized getaway in the heart of the Valley of the Kings! Elegant and charming, Domaine des Thomeaux, is an enchanting place nestled in the heart of the Valley of the Kings in Touraine.
Just 10 minutes from the famous castles of Chaumont-sur-Loire and Amboise, our hotel spa restaurant awaits you for a tailor-made experience that will awaken all your senses.
HOW TO BOOK
+ Submit an obligation free Rider Form
+ We will get in touch to plan your dream safari
+ You pay your 20% deposit now with the balance due 60 days before the ride
