Horseback riding in Aquitaine: castles and medieval towns, vineyards and beaches – 2027
- Duration: 8 days – 7 nights – 6 days on horseback
- Level: Minimum Galop 3
- Possibility to bring your own horse: No
- Non-riding companions allowed: Yes
A week-long horseback riding trip in Nouvelle-Aquitaine combining the discovery of Périgord, the Sauternes and the Atlantic Coast.
When traveling across New Aquitaine abounding with breathtaking natural landscapes, be ready for a deep cultural and historical immersion. A noteworthy architectural heritage count hundreds of medieval fortresses with carved ramparts and gorgeous castles sheltering exclusive wineries. Fine wines are served here to meet all tastes, yours inclusively.
Main outlines of the week:
– 4 days straddling 3 departments: Lot, Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne, each offering its own particularities in terms of terrain, architecture and culture. Discover the castles of Bonaguil, Sauveterre, Biron, Gavaudun, as well as the towns of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and Rocamadour.
– 1 day in the Sauternes vineyards in Gironde, discovering one of the greatest wines of the Bordeaux region.
– 1 day in the Landes between pine forest and ocean, culminating in the Atlantic beaches at sunset.
This program is offered by numerous French and European equestrian travel agencies – a guarantee of professionalism and expertise. Therefore, expect English to be used throughout the stay and for the sessions to be bilingual.
Features
Duration: 8 days, 7 nights, 6 days on horseback
Age of participants: Adults, 13-15 years old accepted if accompanied by their parents.
Riding level required: Very comfortable at all three gaits and in good physical condition.
This ride requires riders with a minimum of a good level of riding proficiency (Galop 3) and good physical fitness. The pace of this ride is brisk, and periods of trotting and cantering are frequent, particularly during the "RAID Days," in order to cover an average of 40 to 65 km per day in an average of 5 to 7 hours of riding, depending on the program.
Progress: 2 days of raids of approximately 65 km and 45 km; on average 30 km/day on the other days
Group size: Maximum 9 riders. Departure with a minimum of 4 riders.
Supervision and safety: Supervision is provided by a guide holding a BPJEPS Equestrian Tourism qualification. He speaks fluent English.
Program
In 1152, the marriage of Eleanor and Henry of Plantagenet drags the Aquitaine region into a long-term conflict, known as the Hundred Year’s war. Numerous walled towns and fortified castles were built during this period to meet different strategic, political and economic requirements. Let’s travel back in time on the back of our courageous mounts. We will ride across magnificent valleys in gorges and step in a maze of foot prints left by ancient yokels who used to refuge in a lush forest.
Sunday – Arrival in Mimizan or Bordeaux and transfer to Bonaguil
Meet in Mimizan at 12:30pm or at Bordeaux airport at 2:00pm, then departure for Bonaguil. Medieval dinner at the foot of Bonaguil castle.
Monday – Dordogne and Périgord
First day of horseback riding with preparation for endurance pace.
After breakfast, get acquainted with your horse. Immerse yourself in the chestnut groves and the gentle slopes of the Massif Central, discovering numerous hamlets with typical Périgord architecture where stone reigns supreme. Ride to the Château de Sauveterre and its chapel for lunch.
Return to the gîte after a few exhilarating gallops. A self-guided tour of Bonaguil Castle is offered, a masterpiece of military architecture and the last of the great fortified castles built in France. Relax in the late evening with a glass of wine by the pool.
Tuesday – The Lot and Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Departure for Saint-Cirq-Lapopie by truck and minibus. This exceptional village, unique in the world, immerses you in the medieval era with its magical forest and towpath. Visit of the village. Picnic on the banks of the Lot River, then departure on horseback for 4 hours of surprises: the Lot gorges and its towpath, then the mountain peaks with a breathtaking view over the village and the valley, crossing a forest worthy of Grimm's fairy tales, then another ride through the village.
Transfer by minibus (approximately 1 hour) to the Domaine de Gardelle gîte.
Wednesday – The Lot and Rocamadour
Horseback riding through the limestone plateaus of Quercy, located in northeastern Aquitaine. A 4-hour ride through the Ouysse gorges to discover another medieval gem: Rocamadour. This medieval town, carved vertically into the rock, with its winding streets, is guarded by a series of fortified gates. One of the most visited sites in France after Mont-Saint-Michel!
Transfer by minibus to Bonaguil.
Thursday – Endurance day in Lot-et-Garonne
An active day on horseback between 6 and 7 hours and a varied 45 km route at the pace of an endurance race: trotting when galloping is not possible, and not when trotting is no longer possible.
In the morning, a long ride took us through the fortified town of Saint-Front-sur-Lémance and then Lacapelle-Biron , arriving at the imposing Biron castle. The laterite terrain was very uneven throughout the morning. We crossed vast pine forests where hamlets and villages with typical Lot-et-Garonne architecture were hidden.
Picnic, visit to Biron Castle.
In the afternoon, explore the Lède valley, the beautiful houses and the fortified church of the listed site of Saint-Avit, arrive at the foot of the castle of Gavaudun, and return to Bonaguil via the peaks and ridges of the Cuzorn hills.
Last night at the Bonaguil gîte.
Friday – The Sauternes vineyards in Gironde
Breakfast and luggage loading. Departure for a new department: the Gironde and Sauternes, internationally known for its sweet white wine (2 hours drive).
Lunch.
Presentation of Sauternes wine at Château Filhot or at the Maison du Vigneron.
In the afternoon, a 3-hour horseback ride through the vineyards of the famous Château d'Yquem, Château Trillon, Château Guiraud.
Departure for the equestrian gîte in Mimizan in the Landes.
Saturday – Forest, lake and ocean in the Landes
A 35km horseback riding trek on sandy terrain ideal for long gallops in the largest pine forest in Europe. Highly contrasting landscapes: lakes, ponds, wild rivers and deserted, endless sandy beaches.
To conclude this exceptional week on horseback, sunset on the beach.
Sunday – Departure
Transfer to Bordeaux train station or airport (depending on the departure times of the first plane/train for the riders in the group).
Dates 2027
May 9-16,
May 23-30,
June 6-13,
June 20-27
Stays are possible on request for pre-formed groups of 6 people and at other times
Prices
1999 €
8 days / 7 nights with full board and shared room
Single room: +€240 per rider
Double or twin room: +€120 per rider
GROUP PROMOTION: 30% discount for the 6thrider in a group
The price includes
The price does not include
Payment method
BANK TRANSFER: Upon confirmation of your booking request, we will send you our IBAN so that you can pay the deposit and then the balance (for stays of 3 days and more) or the total amount (for stays of less than 2 days) by bank transfer.
For residents of non-EU countries unable to make the bank transfer, please contact us for PayPal payment options.
Reservation request
Accommodation
Charming 3-star holiday cottage with swimming pool in the Périgord
Special care is taken in the preparation of meals which allow you to discover the traditional cuisine of Périgord, then the cuisine of Landes in Mimizan.
Access
Equestrian gîte, 55 route de Baleste, 40200 MIMIZAN, France.
How to get there?
Departure from Mimizan around 12:30 on Sunday, then from Bordeaux at 2:00 pm, passing either at the train station or the airport, and transport in the afternoon to arrive before nightfall in Bonaguil
Equipment
Riding gear to bring
- Riding trousers and tops
- Helmet, protective vest (mandatory for motocross)
- Ankle boots and chaps (avoid boots)
- Riding crop (optional but recommended)
- Gourd
Personal belongings to bring
- Regular clothing for the duration of your stay: underwear, socks, t-shirts and polo shirts, a sweater or fleece (the evenings are cool!)
- For the pool: pool towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Notebook and pen for taking notes
Equipment provided on site
- Bed linen and bath towel
Have a question? Send us a message
By phone: +33 5 58 09 34 25 or +33 6 81 27 15 01
Julie –
We had a great time with Michel; he was a very good host and did his best to ensure everything went as planned. The horses were in excellent condition, well-behaved, and kept going. We had many long gallops and covered a lot of ground each day, which was great.
The accommodation was very good, although we had to change rooms as we were initially in a large room with many beds, and I was expecting a double room. This was rectified when we mentioned it to Annette. The food was very good, and we ate in some excellent restaurants. The picnics were a nice touch.
The experience was very enjoyable; we had a wonderful holiday and are considering doing another of these treks, as are some other members of our group, which speaks volumes about the quality of the trip.
Best regards,
Julie
Corinne THOUVENOT –
We had a wonderful time with Michel, our fantastic guide. He's passionate about his work, very professional, attentive, friendly, and took excellent care of us. We discovered a whole new way of connecting with horses.
And Anaïs, oh the lovely and adorable Anaïs, our guide and logistics coordinator, who prepared delicious and varied meals for us. The organization was absolutely perfect, always with a smile and genuine kindness.
The accommodations were top-notch, comfortable, beautifully decorated, and spotless.
The landscapes naturally changed throughout the ride, and you never got bored on these lively, magnificent, well-trained, very kind, affectionate, and generous horses. My trotter mare Vicky and my trotter Quick were just perfect… They were absolute sweethearts! This exceptional ride was pure bliss, a complete escape with your horse, feeling like you were the only one in the world, managing the pace in the heart of nature. We enjoyed individual canters or galloping side-by-side, racing on the vast beach of Mimizan… Simply magical! Guaranteed orgasm! A unique opportunity for those who truly seek to understand and live in harmony with their horse.
Thanks again to Michel and Anaïs for this shared experience!
Can't wait to go back… Bring on 2021 for a fantastic ride with exceptional horses and top-notch organization… Not forgetting the Tariquet Premières Grives (factory wine, hee hee hee) and mirabelle plum brandy in our suitcases.
A truly unforgettable experience. Corinne, September 2020
Katja Sugg –
I return to Michel each year to discover a new region in France or to get to know one even better. This in ride has made the Périgord one of my favorite regions in France, the villages are adorable, especially Saint Cirq Lapopie and the view from the castles is fabulous.
Every time, Michel picks the right horse for everyone so that one can enjoy long gallops independently from the group through the forests of the Périgord and later in the week at the beach of Mimizan. The transfer from Bordeaux to the Périgord was perfectly organized as well as the catering – thanks to Anais for introducing us to the local cuisine and making me vegetarian options 😉 The cottage in the Périgord is lovely, spacious and in the middle of nature with the horses right next to it and the rooms in Mimizan are just so adorable with beautiful bathrooms.
I am already looking forward to my next holidays with Michel, Anne and Anais in 2021
Elodie S –
Another absolutely perfect ride.
Each day was even more beautiful than the last. Magnificent group gallops in the meadows on the first day, a challenging day with hardy, responsive, and sure-footed horses—what a joy to spend so many hours in the saddle in such conditions! Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and its towpath, the magical forest—what a moment! A visit to Sauternes nestled between vineyards and a forest reminiscent of the Landes region—what a discovery!
Finally, two days on the Landes sand—always so pleasant! And above all, ending in style with an (unexpected) sunset on the beach to close out this wonderful week.
Thank you, Michel, for helping us rediscover trail riding; we haven't been able to do without it since 2017! And thank you for your invaluable advice. Developing independence is a real bonus and allows us to share exceptional moments with our horses. Thank you, Vicky, for giving me perfect weeks every time!
Thank you, Anne, for taking such good care of us all week, but next time we want you riding with us!
And let's not forget the fantastic group we had, which made this hike even better!!
A must-do, and we'll definitely do it again!
Alexis K. –
Always wonderful moments spent together, as on every ride. Magnificent scenery, the horses as valiant and adorable as ever (thank you Eurasia!), and a fantastic atmosphere. Thank you again for all these magical moments.
Silke Tebel-Haas –
Die Reitreise im Sommer 2021 war spektakulär schön, sportlich und sensationell! Das Wichtigste: Die Pferde, wunderbare, leichtrittige und tritttsichere Anglo-Araber. Alle Pferde haben eine sehr gute Condition, sind aufmerksam, extrem fleißig und besonders im Trab und Galopp sehr raumgreifend. Danke an Effie, die mich die vielen Tage über so viele Kilometer zu so schönen und vielseitigen Orten und Landschaften getragen hat!
Die Landschaften wechseln sich wunderbar ab: Dichte, unendliche Kastanienwälder, weite Rebenlandschaften, die Berge um Saint Cirq Lapopie mit einem wunderbaren Märchenwald, das schöne Château de Bonaguil et Château de Biron, die Schluchten der Lot and der beeindruckende Felsenweg “Chemin de Halage”, der Menschenleere Atlantikstrand bei Mimizan mit den nicht enden wollenden Kiefer- und Heidewäldern in “Les landes ” oder Picknick am Lac d’Aureilhan. Immer, wenn ich dachte, es kann nicht schöner werden, überraschte ein neues Highlight inclusive Sonnenuntergang und Regenbogen! Guide Michel hat ein großes Gefühl für Lichtstimmungen, kennt die Wege und Pferde in- und auswendig und spricht gut Englisch und Deutsch! Zusammen mit Anne lässt er keinen Wunsch offen. Herzlichen Dank für die einzigartigen Momente! Hinzu kamen sehr schöne Unterkünfte und eine tolle Gemeinschaft unter den Reiterinnen und Reitern, was die Zeit einfach perfekt machte. There are 200 pages of photos published and published so you can take the Tour!
The summer 2021 horseback riding trip was spectacularly beautiful, sporty and sensational! Most importantly: the horses, magnificent Anglo-Arabians with light and sure feet. All the horses were in excellent physical condition, attentive, and forward-moving, especially at the trot and canter. Thank you to Effie for carrying me for so many days, over so many kilometers, through such beautiful and varied landscapes!
The scenery unfolded wonderfully: dense and endless chestnut forests, vast vineyards, the mountains around Saint-Cirq-Lapopie with a magnificent, fairytale-like forest, the beautiful Château de Bonaguil and Château de Biron, the Lot gorges and the impressive towpath, the deserted Atlantic beach at Mimizan with the endless pine and heather forests of the landes , or the picnic at Lake Aureilhan. Just when I thought it couldn't get any more beautiful, a new highlight surprised me, including a sunset and a rainbow! Our guide, Michel, truly has a wonderful eye for lighting, knows the trails and the horses like the back of his hand, and speaks fluent English and German! He and Anne cater to every wish. A huge thank you for these unforgettable moments! Add to that the beautiful accommodations and a fantastic community among the riders, and you have everything you need. This trip was simply perfect. I've just finished a photo album of nearly 200 pages and I could go riding again right now!
Eulalie –
A perfect, sporty ride, one of the very few in France. Once you've experienced this center, you'll return without hesitation. The advantage lies in the autonomy given and expected of the riders, who often ride outside the group. This allows for progress as a rider and motivates the horses, breaking free from the routine of simply following each other in single file. The horses are extraordinary in their fitness, training, and temperament, and there's something for everyone. The landscapes are incredibly diverse. The days are full and rich in emotions, culture, and shared experiences. The picnics and meals are superb. The instructors are incredibly friendly, supportive, and educational (French, English, German).
Laurent –
A superb endurance-style ride through the Périgord and Aquitaine regions. I had the pleasure of riding four different horses, all very well-trained and cared for. My favorite was Calgary, a small Anglo-Arabian, an indefatigable lead horse, light, fast, and responsive to the slightest touch of the fingers and legs. A real treat!
The gîtes are very comfortable, and what can I say about Anne's delicious meals and picnics? They were a welcome treat to recharge during and after these wonderful days in the saddle.
Michel generously shares his equestrian knowledge, weaving in local culture and stories. His trot and canter exercises are excellent for developing independence and contribute to the ongoing training of the horses.
The saddles are in good condition and comfortable for long 8-hour days.