Our Destinations
Letter Randocheval
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
FRANCE - CASTLE RIDE IN THE LOIRE AND THE CHER VALLEY
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
Renowned for its sumptuous castles, vestiges of a royal past,
the famous Loire Valley is in the same time rich in history
and
in architecture.
Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, the greatest castles of the Renaissance lay like a spring of perls along the Loire and the Cher rivers. But Nature also is well represented by the big forests of the Sologne with their high trees and the richness of game which is known worldwide.
Spend a week with us to discover the beautiful castles on horseback. |
|
ITINERARY
Day 1: Sunday
Meeting of the riders directly at Seillac castle (approx. 10 km from Blois) at 08:00 pm. Dinner with the other participants and the guides and presentation of the program for the week. Night at the castle.
Day 2: Monday
Our horses await us in the park of the castle. A short ride to the Loire river will bring us through forests and fields to Chaumont castle. This majestic residence, that dominates the river, was offered to Diane of Poitiers by Mary de Medicis in exchange of the castle of Chenonceau. The squabbles of women at that period still bring us some unexpected surprises.
We have the opportunity to visit the castle after lunch. Another short ride in the afternoon will take us to Cloiseaux, a former hunting meeting point of the kings of France where we will spend the night.
Day 3: Tuesday
Today we will discover the marvelous machines invented by Leonardo da Vinci. We will spend half a day riding in order to reach the castle « le Clos Lucé » in Amboise, where the inventions are exhibited. In the afternoon we will leave the Loire valley and follow its affluent, the "Cher". In order to reach the "Château de l'Isle" where we will spend the night, we will ride accross the Amboise forest, where the kings of France loved to hunt.
Day 4: Wednesday
This forth riding day will be shorter in distance but rich in discovery. Ride to the castle of Chenonceau, our next sightseeing stop with a picnic on the way. Afternoon ride through the woods to the fortified castle of Chissay, with it Donjon dating back to the 13th century. Dinner and night at the castle with its beautiful gardens and a modern swimming-pool.
Day 5: Thursday
The region between the Loire and the Cher Rivers, covered by trees, lakes and sandy fields full of vegetables (aspergus, carots, leek) is called La Sologne. To go back to the Loire we have a long distance ride across this region until we reach the castle of Chémery with its old fashioned charms where we will spend the night.
Day 6: Friday
On the banks of the Loire, we will visit Cheverny castle, one of the most famous places of the "chasse à courre" (hounding) in France. In the afternoon a quick riding pace through the woods and plains will bring us to Chambord castle that we visit in the evening, after the official opening hours. Night in a hotel just opposite to the castle.
Day 7: Saturday
Today is devoted to the largest and most majestic of the Loire castles: Chambord with its magnificent park full of game. Thanks to a special authorisation we have the privilege to live an unforgettable moment: we gallop across the fields of the estate and along the channel leading right to the base of the castle where our lunch awaits us. In the afternoon we enjoy our last ride to the Manoir de Bel Air (manor house).
Day 8: Sunday
Departure after breakfast.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Please consult us for any extra stay in France !
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
Horses
Arabs, anglo-arabs, arab cross.
Tack
Specially adapted army saddles with sheep skin and saddle bags.
Required riding level
We ride about 5 to 8 hours and 25 to 40 km per day, with long trots, canters and gallops so you should be comfortable at all paces and have good stamina. Riders will be asked to look after their horses and will be assisted if required by the guides.
Maximum weight : 100 kg
ATTENTION : Non smoking ride!
YOUR GUIDES
| Your guide is a professional horseman, used to guide trails in the area and fond of history. He will make you discover the castles and historical sites under the best possible conditions. Transportation of luggage and equipments will be made by our support vehicule. |
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation
1st night: Château de Seillac
2nd night: Les Closeaux
3rd night: Château de l'Isle
4th night: Château de Chissay
5th night: Château de Chémery
6th night: Hôtel Le Grand St. Michel
7th night: Manoir de Bel Air
Food
Hot lunch meals are served by the logistic team.
Dinner in the castles or hotels.
Please bring an appropriate suit for the castle evenings.
DATES AND RATES
2009 |
||
| May 31 to June 07 SPECIAL PROMOTION |
1600 € |
available |
| September 06 to 13 |
2100 € |
available |
Single supplement : 620 €
This supplement is charged to any rider booking alone. If you are willing to share and we find another rider of the same gender the supplement is refunded after the ride has taken place.
RATE INCLUDING
- trail ride as described on full board basis (except drinks), from the dinner of Sunday until the breakfast of the following Sunday,
- financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- transportation from and to the meeting point,
- beverages,
- any other service or optional visit entries,
- tips,
- personal expenses,
- optional insurance : more information.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Please, contact Anne for any enquiry !
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
France - Centre
LENGTH
Castle ride in the Loire and the Cher Valley
8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback.
LANGUAGE
French, english.
GROUP SIZE
From 6 to 12 riders
ACCESS
Meeting point is either Blois train station or directly at Seillac castle on Sunday evening (08:00 pm).
CLIMATE
Loire valley is situated in western-center France. The climate is usually cold in winter and mild to hot in summer.
Formalities
Contact your ambassy. For European people, the Identity card is enought.
Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.
We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
REFERENCE :
CH168-loire-chateaux_en
