Cote d'Argent Ride

Introduction
Landes France
Where the Atlantic Ocean crashes onto the coast of south-west France lies the Côte d'Argent. Here you will find 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! Ride between the wild marshes and ponds in the company of our horses, mostly Anglo-Arabs, and enjoy the flora and fauna that makes this area of France so special.

In this abundance of greenery, dominated by the fragrant flowers in bloom in the spring and the purple heather in autumn, we ride on paths that have the mixed fragrance of many blossoms. Each day we can see deer, stags, squirrels, hare, and heron whilst meandering along the paths. Throughout your holiday we lead you along the coast with its rivers and canals. We help you discover the country as it is- tied to its traditions, its history, and whose rural habitat and picturesque areas are still a living testimony. We would be amiss if we did not mention the excellent gastronomy of the Côte d'Argent region, which is influenced by the bountiful nature of the land!

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so you will be staying at the same location every night except for 1 night (spent at a nearby B&B or camping - depending on the time of the year).

Description
You will be staying at the guesthouse beside the riding center during most of the nights. We can accommodate up to 17 people total.
Our guesthouse is divided into 3 buildings:
- the main guesthouse building has 6 rooms for single, double/twin, and a family suite. Each room has its own bathroom
- the guesthouse's annex building has a big dormitory (capacity of 4-7 people) and 2 shared bathrooms
- the family guesthouse has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom
The guesthouse has an outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi access. Laundry can be done for an extra fee.

It is possible to add yoga classes, a relaxing massage or a sauna session for an extra fee, paid locally (please inquire).

If we do not have enough space, riders will stay in a hotel in Mimizan Beach or at another guesthouse close to the riding center.



Manor of Tireveste
This elegant mansion has 6 rooms (for 2-4 people) equipped with bathrooms and a lovely garden with a swimming pool. There is internet access and a TV that guests are welcome to use.

Room Occupancy
We charge a single supplement fee for solo travelers not willing to share a room with another rider.
If you would like to guarantee a double/ twin/ single room, additional costs apply.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8, except for lunch on Monday (Day 2).

Breakfast is served at the guesthouse before we head out on our rides.
Lunches are a real meal, with tables and chairs. We provide French aperitif and appetizers, Bordeaux red wine, soup or salad according to the weather, chicken or meat and veggies, French cheeses, dessert and coffee or tea.
Dinners are served either at the guesthouse or at local restaurants. We try to offer as much variety to guests as possible.

Only breakfast and dinner is included for non-riders (lunches can be purchased for ~ €28 each / option to pay for full board as well).

1/4 liter of wine or soda and coffee is provided during lunches and dinners. Other drinks need to be purchased locally directly by the client.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice. Unfortunately, we cannot cater to vegan diets.

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

Riding


Riding Level
This trek requires a rather good, fit intermediate rider confident at all paces and able to ride several hours over varied and sometimes challenging terrain. This ride is of moderate pace with frequent occasions of trots and gallops. To give more comfort, trotting or galloping is generally individually or by group of two, whether it is in forest or on the beach. Some group gallops on the beach are of course available.    
We are not riding nose to tail in order to give riders the opportunity to keep control of their own horse at the different paces.
This way of hacking also allows everyone to avoid the dust made by the riders at the front.
Our horses are used to be independent one from the others, and may stay walking when other horses are starting to trot or galloping in front of them! They stay under the control of the riders, and not under the group of horses.

Pace
During the 6 riding days of this trip, we cover between 30 and 35 km per day, spending between 5 and 6 hours in the saddle each day.

Horses 
We have 30 horses (mostly Anglo-Arabs) and 5 ponies. Most of them are born in our family farm.
Beauty, blood, intelligence, frankness, kindness, and generosity are the essential qualities we seek in the choice of our horses. Our horses are safe, brave and easygoing; well trained and very well-balanced. They horses live in herds in the outdoors. We take great care in providing horses with a good quality of life.

Staff
Guidance is guaranteed by qualified /certified equestrian guide of tourism (French professional certification: A.T.E., CQP ASA or BPJEPS Tourisme Équestre) having good regional knowledge and willing to let you discover the beauty of this area.

Children
Participants as young as 13 years old can join the ride as long as they are accompanied by an adult. From 16 years old, participants are welcome to join the ride non-accompanied. There are no discounts for children.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

This 6-day riding days program consists of a 5-day trail with one extra day of riding around the riding centre.
There is usually the opportunity to swim in rivers or lakes during the lunch break, so do not forget to bring your swimsuit with you on the ride.

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Pick-up from the Bordeaux Airport (at 4:00pm) or Bordeaux train station (at 5:00pm) and transfer to Mimizan. You should arrive at the guesthouse around 7:00pm. Dinner is at a restaurant (around 9:00pm).
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Bias
After breakfast, we have a small briefing about the program and then clients are transferred to Mimizan beach for 10:30am. Time to visit the village and the beach and lunch in the village (not included in the package) before being picked up at 1:30 pm from in front of the Tourism office center.
At 2:00pm we go to meet the horses and tack them up. At 4:00pm we will meet in the arena for a short 30 minute ride to make sure that everyone gets along with its mount. Then we set off for a first hack in the area surrounding the riding center.
At 7:00pm we are transferred back to the guesthouse (only about 10 minutes drive) and have some time to relax before dinner (around 9:00pm).
Riding approx. 3 hours (about 20 km)
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 3 (Tuesday): Bias to St Julien
After breakfast (around 8 am) we are transferred to the horses and we expect to start our ride around 10am. Today's ride will be through forests and along the coast. We will ride among high sand dunes (up to 150 m above sea level), and if tides allow us, we will enjoy some riding on the beach. We take our lunch break around 1:30 pm and take some time to relax. We start riding again around 4pm and make our way to St Julien. There, once we have taken care of the horses, we are transferred (only about 10 minutes drive) back to the guesthouse, around 7pm, in time to relax before going out for dinner.
Riding approx. 5 hours (about 30 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 4 (Wednesday): St Julien to Lesperon
After breakfast (around 8am) we pack our luggage and get transferred to the horses to continue our ride. We will stop for lunch (around 1:30pm) in Levignacq. On today's ride we will discover the ever changing landscape of the Landes with wonderful ground for canters and gallops.
We get back in the saddle around 4 pm, riding along a river until we reach the Moulin de Caremonge. The horses will stay in a nearby field for the night and the riders will be transferred (about 5 minutes drive) to their accommodation: the Manor of Tireveste (arrival around 6:30 pm).
Riding approx. 5 hours (about 35 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Manor of Tireveste

Day 5 (Thursday): Lesperon to Orvignac
After a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast, we are transferred back to the horses (around 8:30 am). We will ride through beautiful and wild landscapes until we reach Mezos, where we stop for our lunch break in a small restaurant (around 1:30 pm).
In the afternoon, we will ride for a few more hours through varied landscapes. We will reach Bias after crossing a lovely forest. The horses spend the night in Orvignac while riders are transferred back to the guesthouse (only about 10 minutes drive).
Riding approx. 5 hours (about 35 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 6 (Friday): Orvignac to the Ocean
Today's riding schedule will depend on the tides. We will ride during half of the day (either in the morning or afternoon) and relax during the other half.
Our trail includes a ride through the forest leading to the Ocean. If the conditions are right we will enjoy some gallops on the beach. Weather permitting, from June to September, we have the opportunity to swim and play in the Ocean with or without the horses.
Riding approx. 4 hours (about 20 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 7 (Saturday): Aureilhan Lake Ride
After breakfast, we prepare the horses on go for our last ride. We will discover the protected area surrounding Aureilhan Lake and ride along the river to Mimizan beach. We end our ride with a sunset ride in the forest or the beach.
Today's program is tide dependent.
Riding approx. 5 hours (about 30 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
After breakfast transfer to Bordeaux airport or train station.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non-Riding activities - inquire for extra cost
- Tennis
- Bicycle
- Swimming pool
- Numerous water sports 
- Yoga
- Wellness (sauna & massage)

Rates and Dates for Cote d'Argent Ride

Dates Note: July 8-15, July 15-22, July 29- August 5th, August 12-19, and August 19-26 is 1 night camping and 6 nights hotel.

Other Info
Meeting: Mimizan
Airport: Bordeaux
Transfer: Bordeaux airport

Climate:
                                            Mont-de-Marsan area