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Dordogne Getaway
Dordogne
France
This riding holiday is centered in and around the spectacular countryside of the Dordogne in south-western France, near the town of Bergerac. From the moment you turn into the tree-lined driveway that leads up to the house, you'll feel your body and mind relax as you realize your dream holiday has really and truly started. Your French riding guide is an expert horseman and, as well as welcoming you into her charming home, your English host will introduce you to owners of local vineyards and chateaux, making your stay delightfully personal. You will be riding through thousands of hectares of the region's most beautiful private estates.
Following trails which take you through a dynamic countryside of thick forests, hidden valleys, pretty vineyards and meadows, you will soon begin day-dreaming that you are indeed the 'duc' or 'duchesse' of all you survey as you'll come across no other horses or riders, and hardly will there be a gate to open all day long.
We have taken great care to plan the rides - very different each day - to ensure that experienced riders have the opportunity to enjoy long energetic trots and exciting canters, as well as the relaxing walks and conversation with new friends, when you'll have time to share your experiences with your guide and companions. On several nights the horses stay out and riders are transferred back for dinner and overnight - allowing for a wide variety of interesting trails across an ever changing countryside during the week.
Driving into the estate you will glimpse through the trees on the right the spacious tennis court and swimming pool, and to the left you will usually see one or two of our horses curiously looking out from their stables. Le Bourdil Blanc is a beautiful 18th century manor house, recently restored to its former glory and now a warm, friendly and elegant home decor, comfortably set in its own private grounds extending over 7 acres. On arrival, you will be met by Bernadette, who, with a welcoming glass of kir will make you feel instantly at home in the roomy, comfortable and warm interior. Although Le Bourdil Blanc is a private house, we encourage all our guests to treat it as his or her own. Guests quickly settle in to a 'house party' mode, relaxing around the log fire with a glass of wine and enjoying each others conversation.
|
Progressive Ride (no camping)
Family Vacation
Riding with fishing options
Center-based ride
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Meeting:
|
Bergerac
|
|
Airport:
|
Bergerac
|
|
Transfer:
|
Bergerac airport or train station
|
|
Riders:
|
Min
4 riders
Max
8 riders
|
|
Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
|
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|
|
Rates include*:
Accommodation, Most meals including wine, 5 riding days, Transfers & Use of all facilities.
| A | 2024 | 8 day trip | 8d / 7n | €1850 | $1850 |
* prices are per person based on double/twin occupancy
Rates Note:
No surcharge for Single rooms if available
Rides are usually confirmed for 4 riders however if there are just 2 or 3 riders the full week ride can still be confirmed at a supplement. Please contact us for a quote.
Transfer and Other Charges:
|
2024
|
Transfer from Bergerac train station or airport is included.
|
€
0
|
$0
|
|
2024
|
Non-Rider Discount (sharing room with rider)
|
€
-1,150
|
$-1,265
|
|
2024
|
Non-Rider Discount (single supplement)
|
€
-1,020
|
$-1,120
|
You will be met at the railway station or the airport in Bergerac and transferred to the manor house. Alternatively, people can arrive directly by car to the accommodation (check-in around 5 PM).
Shorter stays are also possible
Groups of 4 pax or more can ask for custom dates in May/June and September/October
|
Rates do not include:
Dinner on Day 6, Personal medical / travel insurance (mandatory), Use of phone / fax, Gratuities & Optional use of tourist guide for non riding day (price dependent on numbers in group and paid locally)
Non Riders: French lessons and afternoon excursions available at extra cost
Sample-Itinerary - subject to changes
A standard week-long riding holiday consists of 5 days riding, though if you wish to have a day off, or ride for just half a day, this is easily arranged, it is after all, your holiday. We are happy to tailor the standard itinerary to suit you where practicable. For those pressed for time, a good alternative is a short break of 4 nights which include 3 to 4 days riding.
Day by day arrangements and routes may be varied by your host and guide depending on the season, the ability and interests of the group and also local conditions. Final decisions are left to the discretion of your guide and host.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival in Bergerac
You will be met on arrival at Bergerac station or airport and driven about 20 minutes to your accommodation. On arrival at the manor house, you will be shown to your room to settle in for the week.
Dinner and overnight.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the manor house
Day 2 (Sunday): Morning Market & Afternoon Ride
After breakfast, set off by car at about 10.00 am to visit the street market in Issigeac which is great fun and full of local colour. We then return to the house for lunch.
After lunch head to the stables (by bus - just 2 kms away) to meet the horses and try them in the paddock under the expert eye of your riding guides. You will then go on your first trail ride of between 2 and 3 hours.
Return to the manor house in the late afternoon for drinks and dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house
Day 3 (Monday): Caudeau Valley Ride
This morning, go to the stables by bus and mount up for your first day’s full riding. The route takes you through the Caudeau Valley, visiting the villages of Montclard, Saint Georges, St Martin des Combes and Clermont Beauregard and passing the Chateau de la Gaubertie stopping at an idyllic picnic site. After lunch ride back to the stables for drinks and dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house
Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride to Le Cournou
Breakfast in the house, then bus to the stables and set off riding. Today's route takes you through the village of Lamonzie Montastruc and across the forest of Liorac to the private Chateau Garraube, with its formal gardens. Then on to the pretty village of Saint Marcel du Perigord where you stop for a picnic lunch near a stream.
In the afternoon, ride on to where the horses will stay overnight: Le Cournou. Return to your accommodation by bus to eat a delicious, typical local dish to be washed down with some great local wines!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house
Day 5 (Wednesday): Dordogne River Ride
Breakfast and drive back to le Cournou to meet the horses. Today’s ride takes you down to the Dordogne river and across the bridge at Lalinde - a spectacular ride with wonderful views to Couze.
Stop on the bank of the river for a drink and a picnic lunch and in the afternoon ride past Chateau de Lanquais to leave the horses at a nearby riding stables near Faux.
You will be driven back to the manor house for a well-earned drink before dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house
Day 6 (Thursday): Morning Ride & Relaxing Afternoon
After breakfast, you return by car to the horses. You will then either ride around Faux or to Issigeac and then back to Faux, having a picnic out or back at the house, for a late lunch.
The afternoon is free for sightseeing or to relax. We will discuss the options and will happily arrange group visits to local sites of interest, book restaurants and organise hire cars - or you can just relax at the house, using the heated swimming pool and tennis court or perhaps try the boat on the lake - the choice is yours.
Dinner is not included today and will be eaten out, either on the way back from the places you visit or you will be driven to a local restaurant, or even at the house if someone wants to cook!
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at the manor house
Day 7 (Friday): Last Ride
Set off in the car to the stables near Faux, to meet the horses for your last day’s riding. You will ride through the forests and vineyards, stopping for a delicious picnic lunch along the way either in Issigeac or in Tuilieres and return to the stables. There may be a possibility for an informative wine tasting at Terre Vielle in the Pecharmant area and then back to the manor house in time to change and relax before enjoying a final delicious dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the manor house
Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Breakfast and then make your own arrangements for onward travel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Non-riders
You could, for example, just stay in bed all day if you wished. But choose to venture out into the grounds. The accommodations has some on-site activities for non-riders including a heated swimming pool, a hard tennis court, a charming lake stocked with carp, a designated trout stream (you will need to purchase a licence locally to fish the stream) and a delightful meadow garden. Racquets, balls and all manner of sporting equipment are supplied, though if you are expert tennis player you might like to bring your own racquet.
There is a spectacular golf course nearby at the elegant Chateau des Vigiers. Designed by Donald Steel this 27-hole course meanders through vineyards and orchards, with stunning views, and a cozy clubhouse with an excellent restaurant. There are many other golf clubs in the area including Chateau des Merles, 9 holes and Villeneuve sur Lot, 18 holes.
There is wonderful walking and also mountain biking locally. We have 2 bicycle at the accommodation and we can arrange hire of additional bikes if you wish.
Being in France, food is never too far from one's mind and we strongly recommend that you non-riders take the opportunity, at least once, to join the riders on their picnic lunch, and the wine-tasting tour. This gives you all the opportunity to experience the same wonderful countryside and chateau lifestyle that the riders will be enjoying every day. And the picnics prepared by our own chef, Bernadette, are unmissable.
We recommend hiring a car for the duration of the holiday so you can easily join the others for the picnic lunches, and maximize the terrific opportunities to explore the many historic and fascinating places nearby, details of which are available at the house.
Meeting:
Bergerac
Airport:
Bergerac
Train station:
Bergerac
Transfer:
Bergerac airport or train station
Distance:
8 miles / 13 km
You will be met at the railway station or the airport in Bergerac and transferred to the manor house. Alternatively, people can arrive directly by car to the accommodation (check-in around 5 PM).
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Tack:
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|
French trail saddles; snaffle.
Saddle bags are provided
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|
Horses:
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|
Anglo-Arab and Arab crosses
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|
Pace:
|
|
Overall the pace is moderate with lots of chances for good long canters.
4-6 hours daily
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2.5
to
4
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
12
|
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
210 lbs
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
8 riders
|
|
|
|
|
Riding helmets are mandatory for this ride.
|
Riding Experience
To join these rides you should have a reasonable amount of previous riding experience and should be comfortable, confident and in control on a well-schooled horse at a walk, trot and fast canter.
In addition, as we will be riding across varied terrain, riders need to be reasonably fit. We try our best to match riders of similar ability, so please be honest in filling out the application form, as less experienced riders may hold others back and not get the most from their horse or the rides.
Riders will be shown the daily routine with the horses on the first day and are then very welcome to help prepare, tack up and un-tack their own horse each morning and evening, although this is not compulsory!
Pace
Overall, the pace of the rides is moderate with lots of chances for good long canters. We have taken great care to plan the rides - different each day - to ensure that experienced riders have the opportunity to enjoy long energetic trots and exciting canters. Each ride allows for approximately 3 hours riding in the morning and 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon. We spend between 4 and 6 hours in the saddle each day. However, if you wish to have a day off, or ride for just half a day, this can easily be arranged.
Terrain
Trails take you from village to village, through woodland and along forest tracks where there are regular opportunities to trot and canter. The local environment of forest, fields of crops, vineyards and small villages means canters may be short and you often need to ride in single file, but you will move on where the going allows.
This region of France is thick with private chateaux and much of the riding is through these country estates and over private land, with some routes passing through villages and farmyards.
The countryside itself is rolling with forested hills, valleys, vineyards and grassy meadows and there are miles of wide tracks through the forest as well as narrower paths that wind through woods, along river banks and skirting cultivated land, so it is important to follow your guide's lead to avoid destroying the hard work (and goodwill!) of the farmers who grant us exclusive access to their ground.
Please note that while we keep riding on tarmac to a minimum, there are occasions on which you ride down quiet country lanes and through sleepy villages. The routes taken cover new ground as far as possible rarely covering the same ground and then only for the shortest of distances.
The Horses
The horses are in the main home-bred crosses with Arab and Anglo-Arab blood. They average about 15hh to15.2hh, although there are some smaller ponies for children. They are specialized in trekking, with calm temperaments, very reliable and not easily spooked. They are well motivated, well schooled and well behaved, and extremely well loved. We can assure you they are also definitely not 'nose-to-tail' trekking types.
We are convinced that if the horses could talk they would agree with us that they live a charmed life. Their home is a recently converted 18th century barn. There are 11 spacious loose -boxes, with deep straw beds and open bars in between so they can see and talk to each other. They also spend a great deal of time grazing in the paddocks behind the house and paddling in the lake.
We select horses for each riders from a wide range, always according to the experience and ability of the riders, which is why it is important to complete the booking questionnaire as fully and honestly as possible. It is as important to us as it is to you that you and your horse are well suited and will get on well from the start. (On the first day, we insist all riders must try out their horse in the paddock behind the house before setting off on the ride).
Tack
The saddles are specialized French trekking saddles (Forestier, Gaston- Mercier etc) and are very comfortable. Hard hats are mandatory and each rider must bring their own! A mounting block is available – Please ask for it.
Staff
Your French-speaking English host, Jane, has lived here for over 20 years and, as the author of a best-selling guide to the Dordogne, she is the perfect person to show you the hidden treasures, as well as the justifiably famous sights.
On each ride, you will be accompanied by Antoine. Antoine trained at l'Ecole National d'Equitation in Saumur and is your French licensed "moniteur" bringing with him full accreditation which is a legal requirement for all riding establishments in France. Antoine and his assistant are experienced, accomplished riders who know the local countryside, regional culture and history well. They are your guides and have total responsibility for your safety and enjoyment at all times.
The safety of our riders and horses is of paramount importance. It is essential therefore that you follow the instructions of the guides at all times.
Bernadette, our cook, will prepare various country salads, regional delicacies (including foie gras), locally baked bread, fresh fruit, and of course the best local Bergerac wines for your daily lunches. In the rare event of bad weather, we stop at local auberges for lunch.
Children
Children are accepted by arrangement with the minimum riding age generally 12 years old, except for family or private group bookings for the whole house when younger children may be taken.
Additional information
No smoking allowed in the stable yard. The fence and the meadow behind the lake are electrified at night.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except: (a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Passport NoteFranc. more
Non-ridersNote: Non riders are welcome to come along - there are lots of sightseeing options or hiking and biking. Non riders should have a rental car for their sightseeing, or they can hang out at the pool, go for a bike ride or hike etc.
Bergerac area
|
Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
|
Average High Temperature (°F)
|
50
|
54
|
61
|
65
|
73
|
79
|
83
|
83
|
76
|
68
|
57
|
51
|
|
Average Low Temperature (°F)
|
34
|
34
|
38
|
42
|
48
|
55
|
57
|
57
|
51
|
46
|
39
|
35
|
|
Average High Temperature (°C)
|
10
|
12
|
16
|
18
|
23
|
26
|
28
|
28
|
24
|
20
|
14
|
11
|
|
Average Low Temperature (°C)
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
9
|
13
|
14
|
14
|
10
|
8
|
4
|
2
|
Source: NOAA
Seasons
The Dordogne is a region of many faces in its geographical features and climate. The temperate climate is evident throughout the Périgord with the gentle winters and moderate summer temperatures. The position of the valleys, the rolling hills, the profile and position of the forested hillsides, the clear felled land and the lakes all create a range of particular climatic zones. Summers are generally hot and dry.
The best time to visit is between April and October, excluding the months of July and August which can get very crowded and hot. June is a very good time to visit, while September and October are also good months to visit Dordogne. Winters tend to be wet and mild.
Please Note: It is wise to bring some cash to buy things in local markets, for tips, for taxis and light meals when traveling. It is possible to do laundry if need be. This list is only a guideline for you
- Travel documents and Voucher
- Flight tickets
- Passport
- Visa (check with your consulate)
RIDING GEAR
- Comfortable Riding pants or Jodhpurs
- Long riding boots or ankle length with half chaps
- Hard hats – mandatory. Please wear one at all times when riding.
- Riding gloves
- Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection
- Lightweight Rain coat
PERSONAL CLOTHING
- Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
- Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Underwear and socks
- Pyjamas
- Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes
- Swimsuit
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
- Personal Toiletries and personal medications/first aid kit
- Insect protection
- Adapter for electric appliances
- Camera and extra batteries
- Sun glasses with strap
- Sun tan lotion and lip balm
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
Accommodation
This is a stationary ride, so you will be staying in the same location during the trip.
Description
Main Building
A large entrance hall/study with a double sofa bed, leads onto the main living room, with open fireplace, satellite TV and two double sofa beds. A dining room that seats 14 with ease. The staircase leads from the living room to the upstairs landing.
Upstairs, there are 4 large double bedrooms (all with en-suite bathrooms): with 2 double and 4 single beds, numerous cots and a crib.
Downstairs, there are 3 double bedrooms one with 2 twin beds and another with a double and 2 single beds and the last with a double bed. Each room comes with their own shower room and WC on the second floor.
The occupants can also use another bathroom on the ground floor.
The Wing
It comprises a large living room with open fireplace and 2 double sofa beds. There is a double bedroom (with double bed), a fully fitted and equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a large walk in shower and a private walled garden.
The Pigeonnier
This converted dovecote has a vaulted living room with 2 double sofa beds, an open fireplace and a fully fitted and equipped kitchen. There are 2 double bedrooms (1 double and 2 single beds), a bathroom and a private garden.
Stable Block
There are 3 recently restored double bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms
Amenities include a heated outdoor pool, tennis court, free Wi-FI, a TV (both French and UK satellite), DVD and music center in the living room. Please help yourself, but be conscious of other people’s choices. Ask for instruction to use the Satellite TV.
Washers and dryers are free to use in both kitchens. Please help yourself and please clean up as necessary.
Smoking: Please do not smoke in the bedrooms and bathrooms! Otherwise, in the communal areas please feel free to do so, but please first ask your fellow guests - especially at meal time!
Room Occupancy
We do not charge single supplements for solo riders.
Meals
All meals are included in your package except for the dinner on Thursday night.
One of the highlights of your stay will be relaxing in the lounge with a drink after the day's exertions, discussing the day's events, before enjoying a delicious dinner based on regional cuisine such as duck, foie gras, truffles, asparagus... All this prepared by our local cook with fresh ingredients.
Continental Breakfasts are served around 8:30 am and typically include croissants, bread, butter and a selection of jams, muesli, yoghurts, fruit, juices and coffee and tea.
Lunch is either picnic style on the trail or taken at the accommodation, usually between noon and 2pm.
In the evening, aperitifs/drinks are served around 7:30 pm and dinner is served around 8pm.
All dinners are served with the finest local Bergerac wines, red, rose and white, beer and soft drinks in unlimited quantities.
Sample Menu
|
Day
|
Breakfasts
|
Picnic lunch
|
Dinner
|
|
Saturday
|
Yes
|
Arrive after lunch
|
Shrimp & Grapefruit salad.
Lamb , provencal tomatoes, green beans
Lemon tart
Coffee/tea
|
|
Sunday
|
Yes
|
Pate
Quiche
Salad
Cheese
Fruits
Coffee/tea
|
Nicoise salad
Chicken, carrots, potatoes
Chocolate mousse
Coffee/tea
|
|
Monday
|
Yes
|
Enchaud
Potato salad
Cheese
Fruits
Coffee/tea
|
Turkey & chestnut salad
Grilles pork, spinach, ratatouille
Pineapple cake, ice cream
Coffee/tea
|
|
Tuesday
|
Yes
|
Cantaloup
Smoked ham
Nicoise salad
Cheese
Fruits
Coffee/tea
|
Salad
Confit de canard, peas with bacon ,potatoes
Fruit salad
Coffee/tea
|
|
Wednesday
|
Yes
|
Non riding day
Lunch is not provided
|
Non riding day.
Opportunity to try the local restaurants
|
|
Thursday
|
Yes
|
Tortilla
Tomatoes Avocado
Salad
Cheese
Fruits
Coffee/tea
|
Stuffed tomatoes
Creamy grilled fish
Vegetable Tian
Chocolate cake with English cream
Coffee/tea
|
|
Friday
|
Yes
|
Picnic
|
Bouches a la reine
Beef stew, potato gratin
Apple tart, ice cream
Coffee/tea
|
|
Saturday
|
Yes
|
Depart
|
|
Dietary Restrictions
Vegetarians and special diets can be well catered for at the house as long as we receive sufficient prior warning, so please make sure that these are included on the booking form if this is important to you.
This trip
includes some wine with dinner
and
can accommodate special dietary requests.
|
Tack:
|
|
French trail saddles; snaffle.
Saddle bags are provided
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Anglo-Arab and Arab crosses
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Overall the pace is moderate with lots of chances for good long canters.
4-6 hours daily
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2.5
to
4
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
12
|
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
210 lbs
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
8 riders
|
|
Riding Experience
To join these rides you should have a reasonable amount of previous riding experience and should be comfortable, confident and in control on a well-schooled horse at a walk, trot and fast canter.
In addition, as we will be riding across varied terrain, riders need to be reasonably fit. We try our best to match riders of similar ability, so please be honest in filling out the application form, as less experienced riders may hold others back and not get the most from their horse or the rides.
Riders will be shown the daily routine with the horses on the first day and are then very welcome to help prepare, tack up and un-tack their own horse each morning and evening, although this is not compulsory!
Pace
Overall, the pace of the rides is moderate with lots of chances for good long canters. We have taken great care to plan the rides - different each day - to ensure that experienced riders have the opportunity to enjoy long energetic trots and exciting canters. Each ride allows for approximately 3 hours riding in the morning and 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon. We spend between 4 and 6 hours in the saddle each day. However, if you wish to have a day off, or ride for just half a day, this can easily be arranged.
Terrain
Trails take you from village to village, through woodland and along forest tracks where there are regular opportunities to trot and canter. The local environment of forest, fields of crops, vineyards and small villages means canters may be short and you often need to ride in single file, but you will move on where the going allows.
This region of France is thick with private chateaux and much of the riding is through these country estates and over private land, with some routes passing through villages and farmyards.
The countryside itself is rolling with forested hills, valleys, vineyards and grassy meadows and there are miles of wide tracks through the forest as well as narrower paths that wind through woods, along river banks and skirting cultivated land, so it is important to follow your guide's lead to avoid destroying the hard work (and goodwill!) of the farmers who grant us exclusive access to their ground.
Please note that while we keep riding on tarmac to a minimum, there are occasions on which you ride down quiet country lanes and through sleepy villages. The routes taken cover new ground as far as possible rarely covering the same ground and then only for the shortest of distances.
The Horses
The horses are in the main home-bred crosses with Arab and Anglo-Arab blood. They average about 15hh to15.2hh, although there are some smaller ponies for children. They are specialized in trekking, with calm temperaments, very reliable and not easily spooked. They are well motivated, well schooled and well behaved, and extremely well loved. We can assure you they are also definitely not 'nose-to-tail' trekking types.
We are convinced that if the horses could talk they would agree with us that they live a charmed life. Their home is a recently converted 18th century barn. There are 11 spacious loose -boxes, with deep straw beds and open bars in between so they can see and talk to each other. They also spend a great deal of time grazing in the paddocks behind the house and paddling in the lake.
We select horses for each riders from a wide range, always according to the experience and ability of the riders, which is why it is important to complete the booking questionnaire as fully and honestly as possible. It is as important to us as it is to you that you and your horse are well suited and will get on well from the start. (On the first day, we insist all riders must try out their horse in the paddock behind the house before setting off on the ride).
Tack
The saddles are specialized French trekking saddles (Forestier, Gaston- Mercier etc) and are very comfortable. Hard hats are mandatory and each rider must bring their own! A mounting block is available – Please ask for it.
Staff
Your French-speaking English host, Jane, has lived here for over 20 years and, as the author of a best-selling guide to the Dordogne, she is the perfect person to show you the hidden treasures, as well as the justifiably famous sights.
On each ride, you will be accompanied by Antoine. Antoine trained at l'Ecole National d'Equitation in Saumur and is your French licensed "moniteur" bringing with him full accreditation which is a legal requirement for all riding establishments in France. Antoine and his assistant are experienced, accomplished riders who know the local countryside, regional culture and history well. They are your guides and have total responsibility for your safety and enjoyment at all times.
The safety of our riders and horses is of paramount importance. It is essential therefore that you follow the instructions of the guides at all times.
Bernadette, our cook, will prepare various country salads, regional delicacies (including foie gras), locally baked bread, fresh fruit, and of course the best local Bergerac wines for your daily lunches. In the rare event of bad weather, we stop at local auberges for lunch.
Children
Children are accepted by arrangement with the minimum riding age generally 12 years old, except for family or private group bookings for the whole house when younger children may be taken.
Additional information
No smoking allowed in the stable yard. The fence and the meadow behind the lake are electrified at night.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
Non-riders
Note: Non riders are welcome to come along - there are lots of sightseeing options or hiking and biking. Non riders should have a rental car for their sightseeing, or they can hang out at the pool, go for a bike ride or hike etc.
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Dordogne Getaway
Tour Code:
IT-FR-DOR01
8 days /
7 nights
Dates :
Oct-Nov
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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