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Côte
d’Argent Ride
Where the Atlantic Ocean crashes onto the coast of south-west
France lies the Côte d'Argent, a ribbon of silver sand, 150 miles in
length, which is popular with surfers, anglers, families, and
celebrities in search of a little privacy - and now also for horseback
riding enthusiasts.
Exhilarating gallops on fine sandy beaches that stretch as far as the
eye can see: this is the Côte d’Argent. The Pays de Born stretches out
in the middle of the biggest forest of Europe. Come and discover and
ride between the wild marshes and ponds. In the company of our horses,
in the majority Anglo-Arabs, enjoy the flora and fauna that makes this
site so delightful.
In this abundance of greenery, dominated by the fragrant flowers in
bloom in the spring, the purple heather in autumn, we ride on paths that
have the mixed fragrance of resin and iodine. Each day we can see deer,
stags, squirrels, hare, heron whilst meandering along the paths.
Throughout your holiday we lead you along the coast with its rivers and
canals. We help you discover our country as it is tied to its
traditions, its history, and whose rural habitat and picturesque
districts are still a living testimony, not forgetting its gastronomy,
which is influenced by the generous nature of the land.
 IT-FRAN08
Rates include accommodation in nice guesthouses and hotels; all meals except two lunches, 5.5 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 1,225
Single:+$ 145
-- based on € 850 / € 98
2008 Dates:
03/09-03/16 03/23-03/30 04/06-04/13
04/13-04/20 04/20-04/27 04/27-05/04
05/04-05/11 05/18-05/25 05/25-06/01
06/08-06/15 06/22-06/29 06/29-07/06
07/06-07/13 07/13-07/20
07/20-07/27
07/27-08/03 08/17-08/24 08/24-08/31
09/07-09/14 09/21-09/28 09/28-10/05
10/12-10/19 10/26-11/02 11/02-11/09
11/09-11/16
For July and August dates - 3 nights are
camping - beautiful places- hotel overnights instead of
camping are available with ~$145 surcharge
see availability
Meeting Point: Mimizan-Plage
Closest Airport: Bordeaux
Train Station: Morcenx
Transfer: Train station
in Morcenx at 1:20 PM - Drop off at
3:30 PM - $55
(€
40)
Airport pick
up from Bordeaux on request.
Level:
Good
Intermediate+
- comfortable in walk, trot (posting trot), canter, gallop
Pace: Moderate with lots of fast sections. 20-25 miles per day
Tack:
English Trekking
Horses:
Anglo Arab
Min/Max Riders: 3-12
... with 2 riders only : add $275
Note: Riding lessons are available.
Accommodations:
You will stay in unique guest houses, manor house, hotels during
your ride. The lodgings are not super luxurious, but make more than up
for it by their uniqueness and personal charm. They vary from simple B&B
type stays to an overnight at a wonderful historic manor house. First
two nights and last night are at the
Hotel Le Plaisance in Mimizan la Plage. In July and August 3
camping nights are part of the trip - people can swim
in the lake, the river or swimming pool at the end of the day. You will
find bath and hot shower in each camping place.
Horses:
A large number of the Anglo Arabian horses come from the family stud
farm "des Sables". We take great care in providing the horses with a
good quality of life.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon , check in, go for a hike along the
sandy beach and meet for dinner.
Day 2: The first riding day is a half day trail of 4 hours and 30
minutes, including a stop of 45 minutes allowing time for everybody to
share the first contact. This day enables the riders to get used to the
horses and gives us the opportunity to grasp their different levels and
expectations, to put them on the horses that suit them best. For some of
the riders, this half day gives them the chance to get back into the
swing of riding. The surroundings are very beautiful and with excellent
views of the ocean from the top of natural dunes. Optional riding
lessons are available with prior notice.
Day 3: A very varied day that starts with a ride along the coast
before we head inland to discover the Tirelagüe marsh, Sintias lagoon
and Bourg le Vieux lake. In the afternoon, we return towards the coast,
riding through the sand dunes before finishing with a ride along the
banks of the River Courlis. Throughout the week we can enjoy excellent
meals with extensive lunches on the trail.
Day 4: The day starts with a ride across a large sandy plain,
after which we ride around two lakes. After lunch, we continue south to
the idyllic village of Lévignacq where you stay overnight.
Day 5: In the morning we discover an area known as the Grande
Lande then ride along the banks of the River Mézos to our picnic spot.
Afterwards, we head back towards the Bourg le Vieux lake via the
Moulasse marshes.
Day 6: On our last full day of the trail, we head towards the
Etang d’Aureilhan, the large lake just to the north of Mimizan. We spend
the afternoon riding along its shores before finishing the day with a
sunset ride along the beach.
Day 7: Enjoy a half day local ride in the morning or the
afternoon, according to the tide, with some last exciting galop on the
beach, then leaving you the rest of the day free to relax on the beach.
Farewell dinner? Tonight we have a feast!
Day 8: Departure after breakfast.
During July and August only 3 nights are (very comfortable) camping. The
rest of the year the accommodations are in hotels only.
Guest comments:
Bonjour
Michele
I just wanted to let you know that I had a most fantastic week, with a
lot of wonderful people and amazing horses. [...]
Many kind regards
Juliet Ruth and Dick
Dear Michel
I enjoyed the horses, and the group of people were good fun. It is one
of the best places I have ever ridden, with the beach and the vast
forest. I have very fond memories of some great moments. You have some
fantastic horses, and you are perfectly situated in the forest.
The distance we covered on the ride was very good, and the variety was
excellent.
Victor (London) |
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