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Explore the regions of Perigord, Guyenne and Quercy on
this new ride. Explore a region of castles and churches. No other corner
of France has such a wealth of medieval and Renaissance architecture
emphatically remarkable for its domed Romanesque churches and lovely
galleried farmhouses with dovecots that speckle the landscape. The
cuisine is distinctive for the elusive truffle, cultivation of walnuts
and the rearing of poultry, especially ducks and geese used for
ubiquitous duck and goose preserves such as the famously delicious foie
gras. The proliferation of caves and grottoes has given this area the
greatest concentration of prehistoric sites in the world, as well as
caverns of outstanding beauty and drama and great bastides; remarkable
examples of thirteenth-century town planning.
140 miles of trails bring us from the GARONNE river valley to the PERIGORD,
crossing the province of QUERCY BLANC, the LOT river valley and the
vineyards of CAHORS, remarkable for its distinctive and diverse
landscapes.
PERIGORD, GUYENNE, QUERCY: three prestigious names, three regions
intimately linked with the evolution of humanity, as with the history of
France and of Europe itself; its prehistoric caves, millions of years
old; its medieval architecture proliferating from the rivalry of the 100
Years War between the English and the French; its wealth of countless
Romanesque churches and its chateaux dating from the 12th to the 18th
centuries. Known for its particularly temperate climate, this area of
southwestern France is also outstanding for its superb quality of
traditional gastronomy. Reigning with an enjoyable ambiance and time off
to enjoy life with the discoveries and countless pleasures both visual
and delightful to the palate, this riding tour is accompanied by an
experienced professional Guide of Equestrian Tourism.
 IT-FRPER01
Rates: all inclusive accommodation in charming hotels and chateaux, all
meals, 6 riding days.
8 days/ 7 nights $ 2,225
Single: + $ 330
-- based on € 1550 / € 230
2008 Dates:
05/03-05/10
05/17-05/24 06/14-06/21
08/30-09/06 10/04-10/11
10/18-10/25
availability
& reservation
Meeting Point: Agen
Closest Airport:
Bordeaux
Transfer: $45
(€30) from Bordeaux (Merignac Airport) at 4 PM
or no charge from the Agen train station
Level:
Intermediate
- comfortable in walk, trot (posting trot) and canter
Pace:
Moderate, nice canters
Tack:
French Trekking
Horses:
Selle
Francais / Arab Cross
Weight: Max 240 lbs
Min/Max:
3-12 riders
Note: This ride is a great cultural experience with
gourmet lunches and regional wines, evening dinners in tasteful
regional restaurants to savor traditional French cuisine. Wine with
dinner is not included.
Itinerary
Day 1 Your hosts meet you at Merignac Airport
in Bordeaux or the Marmande/Agen train stations and transfer you to the
quaint little hamlet of St. Medard, (1h-1h30 travel time). Check into
the Hotel Las Bouzigues with its charming hotel rooms spread throughout
two separate mansions built in the 19th century. You will have time to
take a refreshing swim in the hotel pool under the clear sunny skies of
south west France before being escorted to dinner at the exquisite Le
Troubadour restaurant/creperie in Clermont Dessous (transport 5 min),
tiny médieval village which dominates the Garonne Valley. Overnight at
the Hotel Las Bouzigues (swimming pool).
Day 2 Petit déjeuner at 8 a.m. at the hotel. Transport
(5 min), to Bazens, where we formally depart on our riding tour after
presentation and distribution of the horses. After taking time to
acclimatize ourselves to the horses and find just the right one for each
of us, we begin our ride by descending towards the valley of the Masse.
After our descent, we gradually make our way up to Clermont Dessous,
whilst enjoying spectacular panoramic views of the GARONNE valley,
natural frontier between GASCOGNE and GUYENNE. Along the way, crests and
valleys surround us, sprinkled with small woods until we arrive at the
lake de Laubarede to stop for our first gourmet lunch close to the
source of the Lacerene rivulet. After a liesurely rest, we depart in the
afternoon, crossing Praysass, a tiny handsome medieval "cité". Riding
along the lake de Neguenou and the gentle slopes of the Madaillan, we
find ourselves at Cachat. Leaving the horses to graze overnight, we are
escorted to Pujols by support van, a magnificent medieval village which
dominates the valleys of the LOT and VILLENEUVE. Time for a fresh swim
in the hotel pool before dinner at the Lou Cabel restaurant for some
classical French cuisine. Overnight at the Hotel des Chenes (pool).
Day 3 Petit déjeuner at 8 a.m. at the hotel. Transport (15
min) to the horses.
After saddling up in the fresh morning French countryside, we ride towards
a small old Romanesque church, “le Sembas”, surrounded by diversely
cultivated pastures and then ride on to the Citadelle to enjoy our lunch
in the woods. After a quick nap, we leave by way of a small winding path
to return to the valley of Fontirou, then pass the charming fountain of
Fonbourrugues before traversing the peaceful village of St. Antoinee
Ficalba. We then ride though scenic hills and deep valleys until we
reach Hautefage la Tour, 16th century church, 15th century steeple
tower, to end our day’s journey. We are escorted to the enchanting Hotel
Château de l’Hoste, with its own private park and pool to enjoy a
delightful dinner (transport 10 min). Overnight in the Château (swimming
pool, private park)
Day 4 Petit déjeuner at 8 a.m. at the Château. Transport (10
min) to the horses. We begin our fourth day riding through a succession
of crests and valleys gradually making our way towards terrain that has
changed to that of gentle slopes and hills. We cross the small river
Seoune before arriving at Beauville, a fortified bastide village from
the 13th century, perched high on the hills, announcing the region of
Quercy, were we stop to savour our lunch. In the afternoon, we mount the
flanks of the hills, following the river Seoune. We pass by the village
of Roquecor, 100 metres above the river before arriving on horseback at
the Hotel Château de l’Hoste. Dinner and overnight again in this
excellent hotel of exquisite character.
Day 5 Petit déjeuner at 8 a.m. at the Château. Our morning is
spent riding through the woods of Garroussel where we notice the soil
changing to that of a soft, chalkier limestone consistency. We arrive at
noon beneath the impressive ramparts of the 13th century fortified
bastide village of Tournon d’Agenais, situated high on a rocky peak.
Time to explore the village and then enjoy our gourmet lunch. As our
afternoon ride progresses, the woods become thicker and more dense until
we reach the valley of the LOT. We stop at Bouyssac for a sampling of
the fine wines of the CAHORS. After our wine tasting, and time to buy
some of this famous wine if so desired, we load up the support van with
our purchases and carry on to the elegant Château de l’Hoste, for dinner
and a good night’s rest. (transport 15 min).
Day 6 Petit déjeuner at 8 a..m. at the Château. Transport (15
min) to the horses. Our morning begins traversing the LOT valley towards
the town of Thouzac. We progress through the forest until we come to the
valley of the Theze and on to the village of St. Martin le Redon. Still
riding through forest, we emerge from the trees to the spectacular sight
of the enourmous Château de Bonaguil, doorway to the PERIGORD, a castle
flourishing military architecture from the end of the Middle ages. Lunch
at this impressive castle and time for a guided tour. The afternoon ride
takes us through lush forests of oak and chestnut trees towards the
valley of the Lemance. We ascend just to the lovely Hotel Loges de Mélis
where we will pass the night. It is a small vacation village (with
swimming pool).
The horses spend the night in a pasture beside the hotel, allowing us to
spend some extra time with our new found equine friends during a
pleasant evening stroll after enjoying a dinner of extraordinary French
cuisine in our hotel dining room. The restaurant prepares wonderful
meals with fresh ingredients of the owner's garden.
Day 7
Petit déjeuner a 8 a.m. at the hotel. Our morning
passes by all too quickly riding through countryside typical of the
PERIGORD, including oak and chestnut forest and varying terrain from
valleys to rolling hills. We head west towards Donjon de Gavaudun, an
ancient bastide fortress village dating back to the 11th century which
dominates the Lede valley. By way of the tiny village of St. Auit and
the forest of Bois Grand, we embark upon the imposing Château de Biron.
Stop at this outstanding castle for a delicious lunch and tour. In the
afternoon, riding along the “path of the king” or “Chemin du Roi”, we
arrive at the most beautiful and well preserved fortified bastide of the
Perigord; Monpazier, built in the 13th century for King Edward I of
England during the 100 years war. Dinner and overnight in the beautiful
chateau Hôtel Edouard Ière, built in the early 19th century.
Day 8
Farewell petit déjeuner at the Château where we say our
"adieus" and transfer back to the airport or train station.
Subject to change |
see
Chateau Bonaguil
Hotel Château Edward I (Monpazier)
Château Biron
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