Week-end "A Day, a Castle"

Difficulty

Moderate

Comfort

Upscale

Ideally situated, among all the most famous chateaux of the Loire, our team presents an extensive selection of horseback riding excursions in France. Our aim is to introduce you to the marvels of the Loire Valley and facilitate your exploration of its captivating castles.

The daily routine follows a consistent pattern: commencing from the stables in the morning, embarking on a horseback journey, enjoying a picnic lunch at the castle, with the option of a guided tour, and returning to the stables each evening.

The following castles compose this program :

Cheverny, the architectural inspiration for Captain Haddock's Marlinspike Hall in Hergé's works.
Chambord, the grandest and most esteemed castle within the Loire Valley.
Villesavin, often referred to as "the Chambord building site," serving as the Chambord bailiff's headquarters during the sixteenth century.

Historic routes

Sophie G. is the provider and guide of this trip

5.0 10 reviews

The provider speaks: English

Sophie has been running horse riding tours businesses in France for 20 years. Rigorous, friendly and organized, she will do everything to make your trip unforgettable.

Tour highlights

Discover the Castles of the Loire Valley

The most beautiful and prestigious castles in the Loire Valley on horseback.

Route details

Setting off from the stables at 9:30 AM, you embark on a horseback expedition along the trails of Grande Sologne. These paths traverse expansive hunting reserves where the possibility of encountering wildlife like deer and wild boars adds to the adventure.

You enjoy your lunch next to Cheverny castle and then have a free visit (about 1h30).
Cheverny is the mansion on which Hergé modeled Captain Haddock’s country house : Marlinspike Hall. You will appreciate its rich Renaissance furnitures or its hunting dogs pack.

Reuniting with your horses, you traverse the extensive Cheverny forest spanning 2000 hectares, reaching Courmemin by 6:00 PM.

The total riding time amounts to approximately 4 hours.

Difficulty

Moderate

Does not require physical training but involves moderate physical activity

Tour provider's comments

This tour includes all paces from walking to cantering and offers regular long canters.
The riders have to be autonomous and comfortable in all three paces in outdoors in English saddle.

3h30 to 4h30 riding per day.

Accommodation

Comfort

Upscale

Hotel

2 nights

In comfortable hotel ***, in Twin room.

Single rooms are available on request.
Notice: Single room extra is charged for every single rider if we don’t find another rider to share a room on the same tour.

Nights and dinners in hotel La Clef des Chateaux*** in Maslives.

Cold lunches are gourmet picnic: sandwiches, desserts and water.
The three-course diners are made of typical french cuisine.

This hotel provides swimming pool in warm season.

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place

Centre-Val de Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Arrondissement de Romorantin-Lanthenay, Courmemin, La Cufelière

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Partnered with

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Tour conditions

Included

accommodation (Twin);
dinners in hotel La Clef des Chateaux***;
cold lunches (gourmet picnic: sandwiches, desserts and water);
guide;

Extras

extra night with dinner and breakfast : 90.00 €/pers (Twin), 140,00 €/pers (Single) comm excluded;
single room extra (according to availability) : +50.00 €/night comm excluded;
lodging upgrading available on request (4-stars hotels);
taxi transfers : About 40/45€ from Blois-Chambord station to La Clef des Chateaux (D-1) and 80/90€ to Courmemin (D1);
drinks;
monuments entrance fee;

Group size

up to 10 tourists

Duration

3 days

2 nights

It's important to know

In case of early cancellation of the reservation, we will be forced to withhold from you a percentage of the price paid:

if you cancel more than 45 days prior your d1 tour - 30%
if you cancel between 45 and 30 days prior to your d1 tour - 50%
if you cancel less than 30 days prior to your d1 tour - 100%

Additional terms:

If, on the first day of the ride, the guide does not feel the riders have adequately met the guidelines, they will not be able to continue by horseback and have to follow the tour by their own means (taxis or private car) to reach every step. No refund will be issued in the event they are not able to ride to these guidelines.

Penalties terms applies for every motive including “Force majeure”.

We higly recommend you to contract external cancellation insurance to avoid any financial loss in case you may cancel your tour.

Tour reviews

5.0

Based on 10 reviews

A
Anne-Sophie

14 Nov, 2023

about provider

An absolutely fantastic camping trip. Sophie and Ken pay attention to the smallest details both in the organization and in the comfort of the riders and their horses. The latter are very kind and reliable, comfortable in the hooves and attentive to their rider. The route is varied; from the banks of the Loire to the forest, passing through fields, charming villages or royal entrances to castles on horseback! Ken, positive, patient and caring, is passionate about history and happy to share his knowledge and love of the region. As for Sophie, she greets us morning and evening with a big smile and tells us what we need to do for "our" horses. This trek is the perfect balance between the number of hours spent on horseback, exploring the castles and returning to the magnificent Domaine des Thomeaux where muscle recovery is fast thanks to the spa and massage! Moreover, I was very lucky to have a group of endless kindness and togetherness. I will never forget this week! Thank you so much 🌿

14 Nov, 2023
M
Mala

10 Oct, 2023

about provider

Where do I start? This was my dream adventure - my number one spot on my wish list, and it did not disappoint! I could write a book about how amazing this trip was and how wonderful Ken and Sophie were! EVERYTHING was perfect. Guys run an amazing operation with the utmost attention to every detail. The incredible logistics in creating this adventure are mind boggling, but Ken and Sophie pull it off perfectly. The hotels, dinners, picnics and itineraries were flawless! Our hosts were kind, friendly and professional. And then there were the horses. Absolutely AMAZING creatures..... and 100% credit to Ken and Sophie! Not only do they raise these horses, but they train them to be incredible partners. They are in perfect condition, plus responsive and intelligent. If I could bring home sweet Danenerys, I would in a heartbeat. Ken and Sophie take great care of their riders and horses. Their bond is evident. I highly recommend this adventure to experienced riders. We traveled almost 100 miles in 6 days and every step was a dream come true! Thank you Ken and Sophie and their beautiful horses. I will be back.

10 Oct, 2023
S
Sonia

5 Sep, 2023

about provider

Great camping trip! Ken and Sophie exemplify kindness and generosity. The horses are wonderful, in good spirits, and the hike was marked by memorable moments. I highly recommend it!

5 Sep, 2023