Perigord Noir

Introduction
Southwest France

Discover an unspoiled countryside of France, saturated in history, fine wine, peaceful rolling pastures, ripe orchards, lush woods, castles and churches of times past, all connected by a thousand kilometers of horse trails for you to discover.
This ride is like a walk through time in the most famous prehistoric region in France - the Perigord Noir. It will take us to the historic bastides, ancient chateaux, prehistoric caves, through the countryside of rolling hills and oak forest.  Limestone plateaus and cliff-lined valleys border the rivers Vézère and Dordogne and their tributaries have excavated caves and rock shelters that have been occupied by mankind for more than 400,000 years.
Here you will find all the delectable gourmet ingredients synonymous with French Cuisine: truffles, foies gras, wild mushrooms, fine wines and cheeses. Even Santiago de Compostela is only a stone throw away, as is Rocamadour, the second biggest attraction in France.

Accomodation

Accommodations:
At Hans & Hermina's farm and in comfortable Bed & Breakfasts ranging from 2-4 stars.

Your hosts:
In 2002 Hans and Hermina and their daughter Soleil emigrated to France to make a dream come true; to transform a farmhouse into charming, characteristic holiday accommodation from which they organize rides on horseback. Both are Dutch and speak fluent French, English and German. They are genuine lovers of both nature and horses.
Surrounded by tranquility and combined with a hospitable atmosphere, Hans, Hermina and their daughter Soleil would like to welcome you at their farmhouse.  Situated in the village Dégagnac, in the beautiful department The Lot, next to the perhaps more well-known Dordogne region.   With them you will discover an unspoiled countryside saturated in history, wine, peaceful rolling pastures, orchards, woods, castles, churches! Surrounded by a thousand kilometres of ancient horse-tracks we have every chance of coming across a Neolith man!

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Hans and Hermina decided to bring back to life the riding school which had been in silence for about six years, but before it was proudly active for 20 years.

What started with a couple of horses and some recreational riding, became a certified riding school where everyone is welcome to learn proper horsemanship and riding.

During the excursions, riders will enjoy this beautiful region between the famous Lot and Dordogne rivers. You will find well-trained horses at various levels here. They are reliable and a pleasure to ride.
The rides are for competent riders who are happy at all paces.
There will be a good variety of walk, trot and canter and the group sizes are kept small. Minimum age of the riders: 11 years old. We use fine English saddles.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival
Rendezvous at the riding center where Hans and Hermina welcome you and present the itinerary for the week, while drinking a home made cocktail. In the evening, enjoy a Périgourdine dinner served by Hermina and overnight accommodation in the comfortable rooms at the farm.

Day 2:  Dégagnac – Domme and Château Beynac Today we will start our ride through the pretty countryside heading for Domme with its spectacular Royal ‘Bastide’ Mansion founded on a sheer rocky outcrop and viewing over the Dordogne valley. We will enjoy our picnics in this fortified village, held to be one of the most beautiful places in France with its Medieval and Renaissance houses, before crossing the river on our way to Château Beynac. Once occupied by Richard the Lion Heart. This evening we will spend our night in a charming bed and breakfast (**). (approx. 6 hours in the saddle)

Day 3:  Château Beynac – Château Commargue The next day we will leave the Dordogne River and head for Château de Commargue. We will spend the night in a village near “Les Eyzies de Tayac” referred to as the ‘prehistoric centre of Europe’ because of the remarkable number of prehistoric sites in the immediate area. (approx. 5 hours in the saddle)

Day 4: Château Commargue – Château La Vitrolle
Our route passes Les Eyzies and follows the Vézère River. Along the banks we will have a gorgeous picnic. Turning our back on the Vézère we cross the village Le Bugue and finish at Château La Vitrolle (****) where we spend the night. (approx. 5 hours in the saddle)

Day 5: Château La Vitrolle – Belvès
Heading south and rejoining the Dordogne River. We will enjoy magnificent pathways through the “National Forest of Bessède” and pass interesting archaeological sites such as a megalithic grave and Caesar’s camp, where famous battles between the Roman and the Gallic took place. Our stay for the night will be in a very comfortable bed and breakfast(***) in Belvès, a beautiful medieval village perched upon a rock cliff. (approx. 5 hours in the saddle)

Day 6: Belvès – Vezac
Today’s ride will take us alongside Château Berbiguières and Château Les Milandes, former residence of Josephine Baker and her ‘Rainbow Tribe’ and will finish in Vezac (approx. 6 hours in the saddle).

Day 7: Vezac – Dégagnac
From Vezac our ride takes us through the valleys of the Céou river, a rolling countryside of forests, open fields and charming small villages. We finish our ride at the impressive ruins of Château Le Repaire. (approx. 6 hours in the saddle)

Day 8: Departure after breakfast
**subject to change

Rates and Dates for Perigord Noir

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Degagnac
Airport: Bergerac or Toulouse
Transfer: Bergerac or Toulouse airports; Gourdon Train station.

Climate:

Much like the majority of France, the best time to visit Deganac is in the spring time when the flowers and trees are blooming. You escape the throngs of tourists and hot weather that go hand in hand with summertime.

The months from March through until May bring a maximum average temperature range of 15 to 20 degrees. Average rainfall is at its lowest in April, sitting at 48mm average precipitation. It is not unusual for weather conditions to relapse back to winter and as a result there are occasional cold snaps interspersed with drizzles of rain.

The conditions are much the same in Autumn (minus the blossoming flowers!) however the majority of the wineries close their doors in October whilst grape harvest takes place, so if you want to take in what Bordeaux’s wine region has to offer its not recommended to visit during the Autumn.

Winters are short and not too cold but have a tendency to feel quite ‘damp.’ November through to January is when the region receives its greatest rainfall, December being particularly wet. The average minimum for December is 2 degrees moving up to an average maximum of 9 degrees. January is generally the coldest month, with an average minimum of 2 degrees however the coldest temperature ever recorded in Bordeaux was recorded in February when the mercury plunged to -15 degrees!