Castles of the Loire Ride
Riding Tours in France

The Loire Valley with its beautiful river Cher offers rides into the past with hundreds of castles, cloisters, cathedrals and fortresses, vast forests and great riding trails. The region is also known for its mild climate, vineyards and roses. This is one of the most luxurious trips in France. The eight-day trip through the valley of the Loire and its tributaries Cher and Indre with their large forests, where, in the winter, the famous "Chasse à Courre" (hounding) takes place, is a journey through history. The Middle Ages and especially the Renaissance - the time when the king's court of Valois-Orléans-Angoulême had the power and the money to build palaces for pleasance instead of castles for protection - provide the backdrop. Rarely a village or ridge can be found that is not embellished with one of these splendid constructions. But the valley of the Loire has much more to offer! The climate is mild and the soil is fertile. Poplar avenues reflect in rivers, cloisters and cathedrals hide behind cedars and willows and - again and again: castles. Contemplation is first priority. The discrete charm of French provincial life, the scent of spicy herbs, pies and pâtés - zest of life is as deeply rooted as the vines Chinon and Sancerre.

PG-MVL8
Included: Accommodations in charming hotels and historic castles, all meals, 6 riding days (4-6 hours per day)
8 days/ 7 nights $ 3,175   Single: + $925
-- based on € 2,230  / € 650
Special Offer: $ 2,345  -- based on € 1,645
  for June 1-8 ... now sold out
- see alternate ride !!!
2008 Dates:
06/01-06/08    08/17-08/24   
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Meeting: Blois train station
Airport: Paris
Transfer: from Blois train station  
- take train from Paris to Blois
Level: :  Good intermediate
Pace:    Walk, long trots, canter and gallops
Tack:     French trekking
Horses:   Arab cross
Pace: Moderate, long trots and canters, 5 to 7 hours in the saddle per day 
Note: all Loire rides have excellent meals; entrance fees to the castles and wine with dinner are not included
Min/Max Riders: 6-12
Non-rider rate is $2,125 (€ 1495)  incl. lodging, breakfast, dinner (needs rental car)

Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Blois, a city full of history, and overnight in a local hotel.
Day 2: The horses are boarded at the National Harass - stud farm of Blois, known for its beauty, elegance and charm. The tour starts with a ride through the municipal forest of Blois along the river Loire to the Château de Chaumont Sur. Picnic near the chateaux and then you have the opportunity to visit the castle itself. A short ride in the after noon will take us to the Castle of La Haute Borde where we will spend the night in order to get used to old castle life style and charm.
Day 3: We will then discover the marvelous machines invented by Leonard de Vinci. To do so, we will spend half a day riding in order to reach « le Clot Lucé » at Amboise, where the inventions are exhibited. In the after noon, we will leave the Loire valley and we will follow an affluent river, the « Cher ». To do so, we will ride across the Amboise forest where the kings loved to hunt. We will ride down this River in order to reach the « Château de l’Isle » where we will spend the night.
Château de l’Isle: 18th-century Touraine residence in a park bordered by the river Cher. The quality of the service and the warm atmosphere make this a "home from home". Extraordinary cuisine. Meals by the fire or on the terrace. Pleasant and comfortable rooms, with views. Authentic and charming location near Chenonceau.
Day 4: Ride through a wooded area to the Château de Chenonceau, your next stop for a sightseeing tour with a picnic at a forest lake on the way. Afterwards you ride along the river Cher to the Château de Chissay, where you have dinner and spend the night.
Château de Chissay: Old fortified castle, this genuine royale residence has been lived in by Charles VII and Louis XI. The Donjon dates back to the 13th century. Three towers overhang the inner Court with an Italian style portico dating back to the Renaissance. Inside you find beautiful rooms and apartments. The formal gardens are embellished by a wonderful blue swimming-pool.
Day 5: Between the Loire and the Cher Rivers, you have a wild region covered by trees, lakes and sandy fields full of vegetables. This region is called La Sologne. To reach the Loire we must ride across this region. We will pause once during this long journey and visit a typical hotel of the region known for its outstanding regional cuisine - L’Auberge du centre.
Day 6: Along the Beuvrons you ride to the Château de Cheverny, where you have another sightseeing tour. Through the forest of Boulogne along the river Loire you reach Manoir du Bel Air, which is situated on the Loire riverbank. There you have dinner and spend the night.
Manoir de Bel Air: The manor house Bel Air overlooks the “royal river” with its wide spread terraces. Excellent cuisine and wine cellar.
Day 7: This day is devoted to the largest and most majestic Loire castle: Chambord with its magnificent park. Thanks to a special permit we have the privilege to live an unforgettable moment: we gallop across the fields of the estate and along the channel leading right to the base of the castle where our lunch awaits us. In the afternoon enjoy your last ride back through the Cosson valley and along the shore of the Loire. Overnight as the day before at Manoir de Bel Air.
Day 8: After breakfast, departure.

Subject to change

Château de Chaumont Sur

Château de Pray

Château d'Amboise

Château de l’Isle

Château de Chenonceau

Château de Chissay

Description of accommodations
Domaine de Seillac  or Holiday Inn 1st night	Meeting at the train station in the afternoon and transfer to lodgings. You will be welcome by your guide for dinner at 8 PM.
Château de la Haute-Borde 2nd night	On the Valley of the Kings Road, close to the Festival Gardens, the « Château de la Haute-Borde » greets you and offers you a very pleasant stay.
Château de l’Isle 3rd night	Located in the middle of a 14 acres park along the Cher River, this is a Tourangelle authentic home of the 18th century. The welcome is friendly, simple and warm. We will enjoy the comfort of the pretty and cozy rooms, the quality of the various dishes that will be crafted for us by the well know Chef, and the exceptional scenery in the middle of the Tourraine wine region.
Château de Chissay 4th night	If walls could talk, they will whisper the names of Charles VII, Louis XI, Charles de Gaulle, … who where once the guests of this prestigious and magnificent Middle Age property. Completely restored, this castle seats in the middle of a beautiful park, offers the comfort of a swimming pool, luxury rooms and regional gastronomic cuisine at its renowned restaurant « La Table du Roy .
L’Auberge du centre 5th night	Located at the heart of a typical Sologne village, this hotel will enable you to discover the charm and the softness of this region.
Manoir de Bel Air 6 and 7th night	15 km from Blois, the Manoir de Bel Air dominates the Loire River.  This grand and comfortable property will welcome you and greet you with its gastronomic specialties and its amazing wine menu.

Riding level required

The horses are easy riding horses and very well behaved, the itinerary does not have any special difficulties, the riding material are adapted for this type of riding. However, the distance between the castles we will visit will range between 25 to 40 km. We will trot and canter/gallop often. Only riders that feel comfortable walking, trotting and galloping will be able to fully enjoy this riding trip. Riders will be asked to look after their horses and will be assisted as required by the guides.